[Trombone-l] Mahler 1 mute change

[Walter Barrett]

On Aug 14, 2006, at 7:21 PM, Nick Mahon wrote:

> I'm playing some excerpts from Mahler 1 for an upcoming audition.
> One excerpt from the fourth movement has a difficult mute change.
> It's right before the soft trumpet/trombone solo line.  To see the
> part I'm talking about, follow this link:
>
> http://www.picturesinmotion.com/misc/mahler.gif
>
> Does anyone have any tips for negotiating this mute change in an
> audition setting?  (I was considering going to the audition without a
> mute, but my teacher advised me "If it said F-flat, you'd play F-
> flat.  It says muted, so play it muted")
>
> Thanks,
> Nick Mahon

Don't jam the mute in too hard. Hold onto it for the muted section,  
kinda like when you use a plunger. Then, you'll be able to whip it  
out, jam it between your knees, and keep going. (That last sentence  
calls some other images to mind!) The getting rid of the mute part  
may be hard to do standing, it'll work better if you're seated.


Walter Barrett

"Some men womanize. Some take to drink. Some play the trombone."
     -Jay Keyser

Alto, tenor, bass trombones
Bass trumpet, euphonium, tuba
Yamaha Artist/Clinician
http://www.walterbarrett.com