Buzzing while driving

[Mark]

I need to be clear on this. It is okay to buzz and drive; but only if I eat while driving first. So, after eating and before buzzing, do you brush your teeth while driving. If you do, what toothpaste do you use?

[Charlie Goodman]

It is playing with fire to buzz and drive at the same time!
This kind of activity can interfere with the more important task of eating and driving. Would you take a chance spilling tom yam soup, or even ceviche, just to get through some
"flow studies"?
If you must buzz and drive, be sensible: adjust the rear view mirror to monitor your corner/cheeks, modify a wire stand for placement on the passenger side of the vehicle. Don't try to
do your whole routine from memory. Use music.
If you require both hands, to get at the soup for example, drive one of the smaller compacts (automatics only), such
as the Ford Escort Wagon, early versions of the Honda Accord,
Bricklins, and the old AMC Pacer. These vehicles make steering with your knees much safer, and ultimately liberate you for the
task at hand.
This writer does not endorse PREPARATION of food while driving. If your meal is prepared beforehand, you can jump
into your warm-up routine as soon as you begin your trip.
Note: Some of the more exotic foods can distract you from
the quality of buzz you are producing. If you do attempt both activities (for experienced players only) bring something simple at first: trail mix, sandwiches, fruits, cookies, and "morning pizza".
Finally, please don't perform your routine with your student in the vehicle. Most students cannot afford to operate a vehicle, and your flaunting such activities ultimately reflects on you.
Cordially.

You are my hero.

[Charlie Goodman]

Another thought I had-- what about airbags? You'd probably have a mouthpiece-sized hole in the back of your head if the airbag went off while buzzing. Or at least a very profitable visit from the tooth fairy.

Russell

Even barring airbags, I've had nervous moments where I certainly wouldn't want a piece of brass on my chops.

[Leland]

I've been forced to talk on the cell phone without an earpiece a couple times while driving (literally a "couple" -- I hate it), and buzzing is much less distracting.

I've got recorded stuff that I buzz along with, or I'll just buzz other stuff. The important thing for me is to give the muscles enough of a workout so that my days off aren't so detrimental.

[Kevin Hendrick]

Another thought I had-- what about airbags? You'd probably have a mouthpiece-sized hole in the back of your head if the airbag went off while buzzing. Or at least a very profitable visit from the tooth fairy.

Russell

Even barring airbags, I've had nervous moments where I certainly wouldn't want a piece of brass on my chops.

That could be a real "pain in the brass" ...

[zeman23]

Buzzing for me has become mostly an exercise in posture, air flow, and intonation, all of which would be too difficult for me to focus on or execute properly while driving. I used to think of buzzing more in terms of embouchure strengthening, and was able to do it pretty much anywhere.

-Zack Zeman

[Leland]

As far as when I might buzz in the car, it works out that if I can use cruise control, it's safe enough to buzz. Any traffic that requires me to shut off cruise, or any in-town driving at all, is just not a good time for buzzing.

*

Regarding posture, etc...

The thing about buzzing that benefits me is that it takes away the "crutch effect" of the horn. If I can buzz with the right pitches and in tempo while on the mouthpiece, doing the same thing on the horn becomes much easier.

I've had my section play through a lick with just air & valves specifically to work on phrasing, and I've had them practice with just buzzing & fingers to work on tempo. Both of those, too, encourage clarity of tone, helping each note to speak more clearly.

If I'm just buzzing along to something (sirens are very rare in my "buzz routine", if I even have one), my priority is to get the buzz to happen in tune and on time. I can get a whole lot of the total effect even if I'm driving or sitting on the couch, and it does directly benefit playing the horn.