Range-Lesson-1-Chromatic-warm-up (1)
For most of my professional life I have been dedicated to the Al Cass “Fast” valve oil but today I may have become a convert to something different. Ultra Pure is really not a new valve oil but is new to me. While visiting our local music store today I tried to purchase my old friend Al Cass and was very disappointed to find that they did not carry that brand. Due to the fact that I was almost out of oil, I reluctantly paid the good man his token requested and I took it home. Upon arriving home to…
As I stated before, the ability to develop Perfect Pitch is highly unlikely if you expect to be perfect all the time. Even those with Perfect Pitch have off days as I indicated in the previous post. Extenuating factors will affect your consistency but be assured, with practice; you should be able to improve dramatically. I wandered through the maze of claims this morning in search of the perfect routine to be using and found many sites which promised instant success on your road to Perfect Pitch. If they claim to have the “easy” answer to success, click out of…
When speaking of a “burn” we are talking about the warming sensation in our embouchure muscles which happens when we start to overdo work on our lips. Knowing when to stop when experiencing a burn is very important for overdoing can lead to damage to your lip. This exercise makes use of very short intervals of actual playing which will make sure that the player is not exceeding beneficial limits to his/her lips. Listen to the recording and repeat the same notes. With this listen- repeat format, you should not get too tired and still work your embouchure. Burn
For those who have not had much music theory, I hope this may answer some of your questions. If you still have questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section and I will try to answer them. Basic Music Theory
I was reminded of something I observed several decades ago, but unfortunately I forgot it until this past week. “The more condensation you generate, the better you are playing”. To many of you this statement makes no sense at all. To some, this statement will generate some questions and to the very few who know what I am saying, “ain’t it interesting”. When warm air is forced through your instrument, condensation collects and the more condensation, the better you’re playing. Warm air generates more condensation than does cool air. Cool air generally is produced with a more restricted air flow.…
You might ask why I was so bold to make that statement and I will defend my words with this observation which began more than three decades ago in Cedar Falls, Iowa. 1. Chromatic scales are the most gradual intervals on any instrument. 2. Equal amounts of playing and resting is the most productive form of practicing. 3. Daily practicing to your “comfortable” high range will increase embouchure strength. 4. Equal amounts of playing and resting insures that you will not “tear down” your lip muscles. 5. Listening to the exercise before you actually play it helps build confidence in…
As a Transcendental Meditation practitioner, I ran across something very helpful while trying to improve your musical ear training. Hearing, recognizing and duplicating a pitch on your instrument is what we will be demonstrating. Step 1. Bring up this YouTube site-tep 1.
Now that is a question that I am sure you have never been asked! Most selections of bore size are limited to either large bore or extra-large bore and an option of a small bore or even a medium bore never enters the picture. Here is a quote from the Bundy instrument manufacture ring company. “The Bundy trumpet’s large bore makes it easy for a beginner to blow”. And here is a quote from the well-known music store Musicians Friend. “For new, and especially young players, a horn with a small bore is more appropriate because the small bore makes…