[TPIN] Air Leakage While Tonguing

[jackie friend]

--- Brett Johnson <brettjohnson1111 at hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Hi all,
> I've had this little problem for a while now, but I
> was recently practicing 
> and it really stood out. I've been *trying* to work
> on my multiple tonguing 
> to prepare for a concert piece in school. I don't
> have the "ideal"-shaped 
> tongue. Mine is fat and round. Whenever I approach
> about an E or F near the 
> top of the staff, I have air leaking from just
> outside the mouthpiece, and 
> when I try to tongue fast I get nowhere. My speed
> drops considerably, 
> sometimes just cutting off the note.  As you might
> expect, this could hold 
> me back while playing this song, as it calls for
> high C's, and I have to 
> take it down an octave. I don't like taking things
> down :-). I do use a 
> rather big mouthpiece (Schilke 20) if that has any
> relevence. Seems like I 
> need to correct something big here. All help would
> be really appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Brett

Brett,

You said a few key things that sorta grab my
attention.  First, you said you were "trying".  There
is no try, only do.  With that in mind, some people
are always preaching that you should practice what you
can't do well, but I think that's only partially true.
 I would suggest starting on a note that you can
comfortably multiple tongue and gradually expand the
range in both directions.  As far as speed, accuracy
is the key to speed.  Trust me, unless you have a
speech impediment or something is really wrong with
your mouth or, in this day and age, a tongue piercing,
your tongue is fast enough.  Slow way down and really
focus on the sound.  You could also just practice the
"K" tongue by itself.   It sounds like your tongue is
shutting off the air.  Throwing more air at the
problem won't help.  It will just be more air to back
up and look for a place to escape,  You have to get
the tongue out of the way.  The tendency is to over
correct when it comes to anything on trumpet.  That's
what it sounds like you're doing when you say things
like "correct something big".  When you slow down,
it's easier to find the most efficient way to do
anything.

As far as the mouthpiece being to big, nobody can tell
you a thing unless they sit down with you.  Speaking
of which, you might try and find a really good
teacher.  I wouldn't worry about the leak, it just
means that you come from a long line of trumpet
players that drool.  :-)  I realize that all of this
is probably some of the most unappealing advice in the
world.  It sucks, but accepting where you are at this
moment and slowly and meticulously working from that
point is the fastest way to improve.

All the best,

Jack


 
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