Join HI-YR-BY-A-THIRD today! Lesson 1

Now that you have your own Claude Gordon “Systematic Approach to Daily Practice” in front of you. Oh, you didn’t get yours yet? Well that’s why I posted the first lesson on my site. Some have ordered it and have not received it and some think they can take my class without getting the text. Thirty years teaching in a university has taught me that there are always those that try to cut corners and if you happen to be one, I’m going to keep an eye on you.

We will begin the class by taking a look at Lesson 1.

Lesson 1 has two parts as the text explains. These two parts are;

1. Starting your practice with pedal tones (notes below the normal range of the instrument).

2. Slowly ascending to your highest note possible.

Question from the back of the room- “What is the purpose of pedal tones”?

Answer– Redal tones are used to relax the lip and stimulate the muscles to gain more oxygen and release toxins. As you begin to practice these low notes you will find them to be helpful in several ways. If your lip is tired from a hard rehearsal, play some pedal tones. If you seem to have developed a stiff lip practicing, play some pedal tones.

Question– “How do I play them”?

Answer– The best way to start playing pedal tones is to play a low F# (1,2,3) and slowly lip it down as far as you can. With practice, you will be able to extend your notes further each day.

Question– “I get so far down and I can’t get any farther. What should I do”?

Answer– There are a number of notes which can be bent easily and they most often stop down around your C below your regular low C. Just below your last low note is another group of notes which are easier to play once you get into that range.

To get into that range, do the following-

1. Bend your low F# down as far as you can and hold that note.

2. While you are holding that note with a 1,2,3 fingering, quickly lift the valves and keep your air and lip the same.

In most cases the horn will drop you into another lower register which is where you want to be. This may take a few tries to get it to respond, but when you get it, the notes will come out easily and give you an additional low note range to practice. The hardest thing to do is to connect the first low register (low F3, F, E, Eb, D, Db, C) to the second register of notes (C, B, Bb, A, etc.) It is best to lower your last note of the first register rather than trying to raise the top note of your second low register.

Question– “The text says to rest at least 15 minutes before starting the second part of the lesson. Why is this important”?

Answer– After you have played down to your lowest pedal tone, your lip is extremely relaxed and it needs to get back to normal before you continue. Mr. Gordon has purposely stated that you should “REST AT LEAST 15 MINUTES”. This is important for at lesat 15 minutes will help, less than that will hurt.

Lecture notes to be considered

• Playing excessively loud can damage the lip. Use caution when following the “hold the note until your stomach shakes” suggestion at this time. Later, as we get farther into the text you will be in better shape to follow this suggestion.
• Read suggestion #4 carefully and do what he has suggested.
• The suggestion “make three attempts” is very important and should be followed throughout the text, so get used to it.

In the next class, we will be explaining the second part of this lesson.