A full week has passed since I began evaluating this product and I have posted my findings below.
Advertised claims-
True …..“Tool for Brass Instruments- Trumpet, trombone, cornet, French horn
airflow and sound
True …..airflow training with music and the instrument- The flowStick makes it possible!
True …..an airflow you can hear and feel
Possible…..The bore of the flowStick is a sophisticated system with blowing edges inside for optimal feedback on the air intensity.
True …..flexible for everybody
True …..The air consumption with the flowStick can be adjusted individually by turning the screw”.
True …..The air resistance or air consumption can be adjusted by turning the screw.
True …..Maximum air consumption is achieved by removing the screw.
True …..It is recommended to alternate between normal playing and flowStick constantly.
True …..The air resistance or air consumption can be adjusted by turning the screw.
True …..Maximum air consumption is achieved by removing the screw.
True …..It is recommended to alternate between normal playing and flowStick constantly.
True …..airflow training
False …..the flowStick helps you optimize airflow, improve sound and increase fitness.
False …..Flow stick, a(n) embouchure and breath builder
The following material was taken from a popular Trumpet bulletin board and gives another trumpet players opinion of the flowStick.
“I completely believe in using air patterns like this to observe the continuity of the air column through slurs, intervals, and articulations. I do this all the time, and Mark Hughes taught me to do it by blowing into the mouthpiece turned around (lips around the shank end) which actually resembles the real flow rate of the air through your mouthpiece.
The flowstick seems like an improvement on this in several ways –
1. the screw can adjust the air resistance to match the kind of equipment you play
2. You get the neural connection of physically holding the instrument and moving the valves direct conjunction with the air pattern
But then… you also have to remember to bring it with you when you want to use it – which isn’t a big deal but it’s a thing. It reminds me a bit of the Brass Buzzer/BERP in the sense that many people probably would rather just buzz the mouthpiece in their hand instead of having to remember to bring one of those along to buzz… but both the flowstick and those buzzing aids in my opinion can help strengthen the effectiveness of those practicing techniques.
Is it NEEDED? No, but we’re in the other toys category this website so probably many of the products mentioned here would be considered the same. Might have to check it out sometime”.
Now that we have relayed to you my feelings toward this product as well as another interdependent source, I will close with a simple video produced by the inventor which will demonstrate that this product does nothing to improve your Trumpet playing.
If the flowStick duplicates the air pressure required to play these musical passages, then the amount of expansion in the throat should be identical. As you will see, it doesn’t which disproves the advertised benefit of the product. If you still want to try the product, stop by my home and I will give you mine.
Best Video–
