Unwanted vocal sounds

[tubabike]

Dear Posters whom teach-

I've got a student who within the past few months has been making these very subtle vocal sounds while playing. It is almost as though he is singing while playing but not on purpose.

Does anyone have any experience and or suggestions on this issue?

Thanks for the help!

Mike

[Chuck(G)]

Either that, or he's posessed by the ghost of Glenn Gould:

[tubajoe]

Pike Marker!!

Hey I've been there, been that. Sorted that out in Chicagoland once upon a time. I learned a lot about it.

There is three parts to dealing with it....
It's kind of like a valsalva thing... (related to that anyway) It's a subconscious, non-voluntary thing -- it's actually a sympathetic vibration, but is exacerbated by a delay (or internalization and increase) of pressure between inhalation and exhalation.

The way I dealt with it (and Rex, AJ and Kutz helped me with it) is to have NO delay between inhalation and exhalation. AJ's exercise of:

Breathe... (say) ONE
Breathe.. (say) TWO
Breathe... (say) THREE
etc... working on having ABSOLUTELY NO delay between the in and out. AJ used speech/singing as a model, as we almost never delay between inhalation and speech or singing.
(that's #1)

#2 is to work on the mouthpiece ring and make sure that I am articulating with good form (used to articulate thru the teeth as a kid), and still having no delay/revving up the internal pressure between in and out. Also keeping good embouchure form and not shifting (it can be worse in middle and higher registers) . Doing this with the ring, I can make sure I keep the back of the tounge down and the throat open. Good form in the front usually equals good form in the back. Good chop form and open throat go hand in hand.

#3 Keeping the chops in shape. It creeps back if I am not in shape. Making sure I play every day -- and taking care of basic stuff keeps it away. When I am on my game, it's never an issue.

Overall, when RM & AJ taught me the "minimize pressure and maximize quantity" thing, it became less and less of an issue.

Hope that helps, my friend -- keep in touch.

(BTW, all of you -- hear Mike play if you get a chance... he's great!)

[Brassdad]

When my wife is making unwanted vocal sounds I usually push the pillow down harder.

[tubabike]

Hey Posters-

Thanks for the advice.

The thought of Glen Gould did cross my mind.

Thanks tubajoe for the detailed info from Rex, Jake, and Kutz, (typing those three names makes me want to go run and practice)!!!

Good stuff- thanks again!

mike