From time to time I think up some interesting challenges for my readers and this post is one of the most practical when learning or improving ones double tonguing technique.
Everyone recognizes the “Orange Blossom Special” but few have had the courage and desire to perform it on a trumpet. There might be a logical reason why this has not been done, but onward we trudge.
I have prepared this little exercise in order to help me gain access to this fiddle tune for I have challenged my Bluegrass ensemble to accompany me on it next season and I can’t think of a better way to shame myself than stumbling through this number on a concert.
When first approaching this formidable adversary, one quickly becomes aware of the hard parts and the easier parts. One also realizes that practicing this piece over and over in its complete form can be a waste of time and lip and because of this I have prepared some practice recordings which will solve both of these problems.
The most difficult section in this number is from letter A to letter C on your music. Because of this, I have recorded the melody and accompaniment repeatedly at three different tempi.
So…….be sure to double tongue at all times and try to smooth out each note to sound like single tonguing. Section A to B is without doubt the most difficult section because of the unusual skips in the melody. Once you get into the B section it becomes much easier.
I suggest that you practice the A section at the slowest tempo and each time rest through the B section thereby giving yourself plenty of time to keep the blood flowing in your lips. If you feel that you need to play the B section, just finger it for practice but take the time to rest you chops. In this way you will be able to keep repeating the A section for extended periods of time and still not tire.
Once you have mastered the A section, switch to playing the B section and resting through the A section.
DO NOT MOVE ON TO A FASTER TEMPO UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO PLAY THE SLOWER TEMPO “FIVE TIME IN A ROW WITHOUT A MISTAKE”.
Remember that you are not the only one going through this exercise and when accomplished, you will have become one of the few trumpet players in the world that can say, “I played the Orange Blossom Special up to speed on a trumpet”.
Good practicing and keep me informed if you have any questions.
4 Orange Blossom Special- Practice Set
