[Trombone-l] Free-buzzing opinions

[Douglas Ward]

On Feb 7, 2007, at 11:55 AM, Joshua Hauser wrote:

> I have been doing a lot of free buzzing over the last few months  
> since Sam
> Burtis posted his pictures of the evidence of free buzzing on his  
> embouchure
> and have found it to be very useful.  I also have been looking at  
> other
> pictures of trombone players ‘in action’ and have been trying to  
> use those
> as a model for embouchure efficiency.  It took about a month or so  
> before I
> began to see any lasting effects, but after doing 5-10 minutes of free
> buzzing per day for several months, I have developed a much more  
> efficient
> embouchure and have found that my breathing is more effective as  
> well.  I
> noticed this in quintet rehearsal a few weeks ago when I realized  
> that I was
> making phrases that were several bars longer than I would have been  
> able to
> last semester.
>
> That brings me to my question and a topic that I hope you will  
> comment on
> (especially Sam).  While surfing on youtube the other day, I came  
> across
> this video clip of Arnold Jacobs.  Not to dismiss any of his wisdom
> regarding breathing, but this seems to be totally contradictory to  
> my recent
> experience both for myself and my students regarding free buzzing vs.
> mouthpiece buzzing.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqTUwX0OVpM
>
> Comments?
>
> Josh
>
>

Living near Chicago and having been around the Chicago crowd some, I  
know free buzzing is traditionally taboo, and using the rim cutout is  
still preferred. I've found free buzzing useful, but it's not as easy  
to do the right way as it is to pick up a mouthpiece.

Perhaps Charlie Vernon has one of the most PC views which,  
paraphrased, is: I don't free buzz because I think it uses muscles  
that aren't used when playing, and can be harmful, but, my friend  
Bill Watrous free buzzes and can play a lot of amazing high licks I  
can't play.

Alessi doesn't advocate it, either.
Alain Trudel teaches it in his buzzing masterclasses.
And, the list goes on. Obviously, it works well for some people, but  
not for everyone.