[Trombone-l] Interesting George Roberts Dissertation - projection

[Dan Thornton]

Can someone help me better understand projection, as Jeager describes it? He
calls it "efficient resonance." What actually happens acoustically? Does the
player somehow adjust his overtones so they better 'fit' the natural
frequencies of that particular auditorium?

On page 10 of the dissertation, Jonathan Jeager writes: 

"Roberts relies on efficient resonance more than volume to carry his sound.
In these recordings, he usually played in the soft- to middle-dynamic range,
often between piano and mezzo forte. I commented to him that he is able to
achieve a tone that is not only velvety, but it also has direction to it. He
responded:
'I always understood that you get the most beautiful sound that you can, and
then you put that sound in the back of the auditorium, not right around you,
yourself. You try to project that sound to the back of the auditorium-not
loud-and that means resonance and sound. The resonance is going to take you
right to the back wall of that auditorium. Projection-like a singer.'"

Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: trombone-l-bounces at samford.edu [mailto:trombone-l-bounces at samford.edu]
On Behalf Of Eliezer Aharoni
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 4:01 AM
Subject: [Trombone-l] Interesting George Roberts Dissertation

Those interested in George Roberts' style should check this out:

digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-5485?PHPSESSID=57c8f661e0a2d05bc0e
8ba2b741f5758

 This is a Doctoral dissertation by Jonathan Jeager called "Interpretive
performance techniques and lyrical innovations on 
the bass trombone: A study of recorded performances by George Roberts, "Mr.
Bass Trombone." 

The dissertation discussees various aspects of Geroge Roberts' playing and
stylistic approach including notated musical examples and 
an interview with George Roberts. Fascinating reading and study material!!!!