[Trombone-l] Help! A question for everyone.

[Jackie Harris-Stone]

I can't weigh in on what is causing the sharpness.  But, I have an idea about how to fix it. 
   
    Try playing an open position note (f or middle b-flat), and as you're doing it, remove the mouthpiece.  Listen to the difference between the notes- chances are, unless you've done this exercise before, the pitch will go up.  Now, buzz the same note, and remove your mouthpiece from the lips.  Listen again for the change of pitch.  Probably, it will go up again.
   
    That's an indication of what you are actually TELLING you lips to do.  
   
    Now, work on reversing it.  Free buzz the note.  While freebuzzing, place the mouthpiece LIGHTLY on the lips, and try and maintain the same pitch.  Once you can do that, buzz the note, and slide the mouthpiece into the receiver.  
   
    Sometimes, the song sounds golden and clear at this point; at which point you are done.  Sometimes, all the muscliing done earlier has created tension, even though your lips are now on the same pitch, and it will sound strangled.  If this happens, take a breath, and play the same note again.  
   
   
    Part a- horn to free buzz, is diagnostic. (the quick-check version is play, and remove your mouthpiecve from the lips)
    Part B- freebuzz to horn- is curative.
    
    If you can work on it using part B  to the point where the pitch of all 3 modes of part A are the same, consistantly. my guess is that the pitch will go down, AND, I bet you''ll be really pleased w/ the change in sound, too.
   
    If you already CAN do this, or the pitch is STILL sharp when you can do this and have the pitch remain the same WITHOUT CHEATING by lipping the sound down in the first nanosecond (record yourself if you want to check), it's time to head down to the repair shop and ask them to lenghten your tuning slide, because it's a permanent feature of your playing out of your control.  
   
    
    


Jackie Harris-Stone
Bass Trombone, Orquesta Sinfonica de Monterrey 
Professor of Trombone, Escuela Superior de Musica y Danza, 
Professor of Low Brass, UANL
 
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