[Trombone-l] The big dark bass trombone sound

[Eric & Candice Swanson]

On Sep 8, 2008, at 1:35 PM, Daniel Alessi wrote:

>
> .......Since two or three weeks the director asks me to get a  
> "darker" "more like a
> tuba" sound. Well. If he wants that sound he will get that sound,  
> but how
> can I make my sound darker? I play plenty of long tones, listening to
> myself, but the sound doesn't really get darker, what to do? How  
> practice?
>
> My equipment: (if it's an equipment question) Schilke 59, Edwards  
> Leadpipe
> (don't remember the number), Slide Edwards BDBN, Hagmann progressive  
> bore
> valve section (by mr. Hagmann) and a 9.5 Bach 50b bell (gold brass I  
> think).
>
> I don't want to change very much in my equipment but. maybe a  
> leadpipe or
> the mouthpiece?
>
> Oh and soon I'm getting those mp's for trial: Jeff Reynolds, Faxx  
> 11/2g,
> Schilke Symphony 6.0, Yeo signature, Gold plated George Roberts SE.  
> Maybe
> one of those may help me?

Daniel,

There is nothing wrong with your equipment.  Don't run out and buy  
tons more mouthpieces, leadpipes and bells.  You should be able to  
produce a nice characteristic bass trombone sound on the equipment you  
already have.  You might already be doing it.  I suggest finding  a  
good bass trombone teacher and having a lesson or two.  Ask his  
opinion about how you sound and perhaps he can suggest some things if  
you are having a sound issue.

The Schilke 59 is a fine mouthpiece.  The 60 or 6.0 (I assume they are  
more or less the same size) may give a darker sound if a bigger  
mouthpiece proves necessary.  The other mouthpieces you list are about  
the same size or smaller (1 1/2G).

Sometimes it is more a problem of opening up the throat, keeping the  
tongue down and out of the way, etc.  Here's where the good teacher  
comes into it.

PS  Maybe the director doesn't know what he's talking about.  That  
sometimes happens.

Good luck,

Eric Swanson