[Trombone-l] Embouchure Dictations Of The Bass Trombone Valve Register (not an immaculate conception)

[Joshua Hauser]

Ok, Galen, sorry to join in the off-track chaos.  Here¹s another thought for
you that may be more on topic (although it may just be fodder for more
discussion).

How often when you add the valves vs putting the slide in a longer position
do you consciously say to yourself ³I am now adding several feet in length
to the instrument²?  Basically, I have found that the subconscious effect of
seeing the length of slide increase helps us to put more air through the
horn while just pushing down the valves and adding tubing that is behind us
doesn¹t give us that same visual cue, so people often forget to support the
same way when we depress one or more valves.

Sometimes I try this trick with my students.  I hold out the horn and ask
them how long it is.  Then I push down the valve and ask the same question.
After they realize that they missed seeing my thumb go down, they start to
realize that the visual cue is useful and, sometimes, start to remember to
think of their thumb and/or 1st finger as being attached to their lungs such
that they add more air support when needed.

Just another thought to throw in the mix.

Josh
______________________________________________
Joshua Hauser, Associate Professor of Trombone
Box 5045
Department of Music and Art
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN 38505
931/372-6086
jhauser at tntech.edu 
http://iweb.tntech.edu/jhauser
http://www.tntech.edu/brass/trombone
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