[TPIN] Air and Stomach Conception

[bzack1 at netzero.net]

Chris,
I feel your explanation of what your teacher said, and what you interpreted, is not accurate.  Which shows that the spoken language does not always convey "thoughts" accurately.

To use "little or no facial muscles" would mean that your embouchure or lips are not a part of your face.  These facial muscles must be developed and used in brass playing.   

My humble suggestion would be to play long tones thinking only about a pure tone fully supported from start to finish.  As you move to each note, concentrate on clear attack to start the note and a clear release of the note without a "falling off sound" at the ending of the note.

If you are concentrating hard enough, you will start to feel correct stomach and lung functions naturally. What works for you is right for you.  Most importantly, know when the sound is beautiful and don't accept anything less.

As for your tongue being level when reaching hi "C" forget it. Think of pronouncing vowels such as "TA, TEE, HA, HEE, TAAEE, etc.. but only after playing the long tones correctly in a comfortable register, and working slowly up to hi"C".

When I was a youngster, I was disapointed in myself because when learning triple and double tonguing from my teacher using Arbans method, I could'nt pronounce "tu tu ku" and get results, so I cheated and used "tih tih kih, and "tee tee kee"..I felt very guilty because people were saying I was a ten year old phenom and I knew I was a hoax.  Only later did I find out that Mr. Arban spoke only French, and he was pronouncing "tu tu ku the same way english speakers pronounce tih tih kih.

Playing beautiful long tones will make you a beautiful player, even if you have to cheat and do it in your own way. 

Regards,

Bob Zack  


My name is Chris and this is my first time emailing to the TPIN list, I was hoping to maybe get some help.

My teacher recently said we need to rework my air. He said that I should be using little to no face muscles and my stomach should come in as I go up the register, starting to use tongue level as I approach the high C.


I've been able to relieve most tension and work from my face, but I struggling with what to do with my stomach. Im just trying to conceive the the entire idea in my head. Should I clench my stomach and abs like a fist or should I be thinking about sucking it in as much as possible? I'm just trying to get an idea of what you guys do to move your air so that I can try it on myself and have different perspective.

My teacher is this list so maybe well hear from him

Thanks
-Chris

_________________________________________________________________
Are you ready for Windows Live Messenger Beta 8.5 ? Get the latest for free today!
http://entertainment.sympatico.msn.ca/WindowsLiveMessenger_______________________________________________
TPIN mailing list
TPIN at tpin.okcu.edu
http://tpin.okcu.edu/mailman/listinfo/tpin