This completes the first full week on Lesson #2 of the Claude Gordon book and most of you have been finding some improvement.
What have we learned?
Some have reported that they have gained more range than they expected in one week. Some have reported that their range has remained the same but their original high note has improved both in consistency and sound. And some have found that their range had actually gone down. All of these reports are common and I will explain each as we go through this post.
“After one week of regular practice on the CG book, my range went up three half steps”.
Congratulations but don’t expect that to happen every time. Many times when first starting on a project like this, some players find immediate improvement in their range. More often than not, this sudden improvement means that a large fluctuation in success is in their future. Sudden improvements many times are followed by sudden drops in range. What we are striving for is a slow and consistent improvement each week.
“After one week of regular practice on the CG book, my range stayed the same but my upper notes were easier to play and sounded better”.
Congratulation for this is what we are working for. Notes which were the highest are now improving and the notes which were impossible are now only difficult to play. A good way of looking at this is “improve what you have and the impossible will become the difficult, but also the improvable”.
“After one week of regular practice on the CG book, my range went down”.
Congratulations for you are on the right path but you may be walking in the wrong direction. After one week of consistent practicing on this method, you should have gained some success and for that reason I will review some of the most important aspects of Chapter #2.
Areas to concentrate on in Chapter #2.
Part 1
1. Big breath- many players do not understand the concept of a BIG BREATH. Everyday breathing is called “Tidal Breathing” and works very well in keeping us alive. Playing a brass instrument goes much farther and is call “Forced Inhalation and Exhalation”. Both expanded inhalation and exhalation require more effort when taking air in and more contraction when pushing the air out. Because of this unusual practice, the body must learn to adjust to this exchange of air. This is also why I spent so much time explaining the possibility of dizziness in Chapter #1. If you are breathing as you do throughout the day, you are not using the air to its full advantage. Learn to breath deep and extend your phrases.
2. Practice slowly and meticulously- One of the advantages of practicing with the prerecorded tape in this chapter is the fact that it dictates your speed and trains you to practice in a regimented style. Another advantage is that once you start the tape, you will be more likely to continue with the exercise. Still another advantage is the fact that some of you might not be able to play as high as the tape but by listening to it and practicing with it, it is similar to having someone else in the room with you.
3. Hold the last note as long as you have air- Use discretion on this one.
4. Take a breath when needed- good advice.
5. Rest as marked- good advice.
6. Continue down- good advice.
Part 2
1. Big Breath- essential.
2. OK
3. Tongue notes- I prefer slurring.
4. Rest- good advice
5. Think “Teee”- as you go up, think of blowing farther.
6. Crescendo on last note- Realize this important fact- “Playing your highest note requires a lot of air. If you use up most of your air on the lower notes of the arpeggios, this leaves less air for the top note. It would be better to start your lowest note softly and conserve your air until the top note”.
7. Keep going as far as you can- great advice.
Part 3
1. Practice legato- I prefer slurring.
2. Tighten and relax- good advice.
3. Top note should be the strongest- good advice.
I have been contacted by a longtime student of Mr. Gordon and he has agreed to contribute his views, and the author’s views of the method. As we get further into this book, we will share ideas and try to give a true outlook of Mr. Gordon’s teaching methods.
Some have asked how my improvement has been and I can say that I land in the second group for my F and F# have improved but the G is still untouchable for me. Stay tuned for more updates as we now begin Chapter #3.
