[Trombone-l] Pedal Note Articulation

[Randy Campora]

 From Roger Bobo's website, an article called Articulation under the 
Writings page (www.rogerbobo.com):

> Tongue placement modifies attack in a very important way. Like the 
> different "T's" mentioned in the first paragraph, tongue placement 
> changes the articulation from a clear instant attack when it is 
> forward and a less instant attack with the tongue further back in the 
> mouth. It should also be said that generally the low register usually 
> responds better with the tongue very forward, even between the lips 
> and in the higher register, to avoid being too abrupt, works better 
> further back in the mouth.


It is normal for most bass trombonists to place the tongue in between 
the lips for pedal articulations.  I would take that as a starting point 
and practice  various etudes and exercises in that range that allow you 
to refine and improve those articulations, using your idea of what the 
final product should sound like as your guide, recored yourself on your 
minidisc.  In the pedal and trigger ranges, make sure you have enough 
meat inside the mouthpiece and keep the aperture in a round shape, not a 
circle that is squashed from top to bottom, for a good thick sound. For 
more rapid articulations down there, as in other ranges of the horn the 
stroke will be lighter with less contact on the lips the faster that you 
go. Remember that the overall goal of articulation in the musical sense 
is CLARITY -- let that be your guide, whether in legato or other styles, 
clarity of what you are trying to say is the key goal.

Randy Campora
Baltimore