Now that the dust has settled and we have heard from a reasonable number of readers about the importance of Long tones, I think it is time to review our material as I see it.
My original statements regarding the three elements of long tones- 1.Boring, 2. Adds to stiffness, and 3. Does not make money still stand.
Some readers understood that I am not against long tones or their obvious benefits, while others misinterpreted my meaning, thinking that long tones are not beneficial.
My goal was to create discussion as to a better way to use long tones which would be more interesting to practice.
My crude suggestion of adding a bass to liven the practice period was just that- crude. Unfortunately no one offered a better solution to the problem. I practice long tones daily and have for a long time. I have mad it more interesting by adding a metronome beat to a prerecorded tape (yes tape). Each morning I turn on the tape, and alternate with the recorded parts until my time is up. To listen to the same recording, go to this site to more fully understand how it works.
By practicing to my prerecorded tape, the time passes much more quickly and is much more appealing than playing by myself.
Now….. on to your comments.
The names have been deleted for obvious reasons and I thank all of you that sent in comments for it made for an interesting discussion.
After reading your comments, I found #7 to be a wonderful alternative to long tones. The reason I like the idea of chromatic runs coupled with flexibility exercises is because that was exactly what I assigned to my students at our university.
1. I still find the long tone warm up a valuable tool. It is especially helpful when I have had to miss a few days of playing due to schedules/etc. It has helped my endurance during a long rehearsal especially after not playing for a few days.
2. I used long tones for a good while; now I have switch to flow studies and similar patterns to basically do my warn-ups.
3. I’m with you totally Bruce. My younger students (7-12 gr) develop all kinds of bad habits. Not so sure the bass feel is necessary. I would rather use an aria as from master solos intermediate & Smart Music accompanying. There ya go
4. Since my teacher ____ gave me those exact exercises, I’ll stick to with his judgment. These are just part of a well-rounded routine.
5. Long tones #2 is perhaps more fun to play than #1, however, it lacks many of the advantages of traditional long tones. For example:
6. 1. Played as an expanded chromatic scale or random notes, the player learns intervals, can work on accuracy and also work on range.
2. The player can learn to play with a resonant sound, seeking to make each tone fuller yet not louder.
3. The player learns to “play through the boredom,” a valuable lesson in itself, but also one that opens some additional advantages.
4. With closed eyes the player can learn to listen spatially, much as a blind person hears in 3-D.
The advantages to long tones #2 is that they are more fun and help teach rhythm, however, it is nowhere written down that trumpet playing must be fun. Additionally the long tones allow us to forget rhythm and concentrate on well, uhh, tone.
7. I think I came off really long tones some time ago. I do gentle chromatics and slurring instead, to combine finger and lip flexibility with tone production.
One comment that stuck out was this “it is nowhere written down that trumpet playing must be fun”?.
To which I say “WHY NOT”?
I also do long tones daily, however I do them at the end of a line of a flow study………..
Something like ———– Start of “C” in the staff chromatically down to ” F# ” back up to “C” and hold it as a long tone…………………. gently with a smooth tone………………
Then I do the same thing moving up 1/2 step each time
That’s how I get ride of the boredom ……………………
I enjoy doing long tones,never boring to me …I use my ears and listen to what is being produced
My routine starts at middle G go down a half tone to F# then back to G and hold while crescendo
to a Forte then decrescendo to as soft as I can while playing with no vibrato and good tone.
Do this going down to a bottom F# .Then start a G again and go up as high as you can go without stress or pressure.,While having total control
Do this as part of my daily routine, have never felt bored as I am always listening to what is coming out the other end.
I was able get a CD of Walter White Long-Tone Accompaniment which I have never really got into, this would be a great aid for anybody that wants some fun time. Though you might find it a little hard to find a copy.
Thanks for the info and I will try to find a copy.
…glad you find the long tones interesting, I wish I did.
Stay well.