Does the horn alter the buzz?

[MaryAnn]

What it is, is that when you add the resistance of the tuba, it takes more effort (and air) to keep the pitch the same. So if you do _exactly_ the same thing first on mouthpiece and then on tuba, yeah the pitch will be lower on the tuba. It will be less obvious in the low range and more obvious in the high range. I went through this on horn, had teachers who denied it was true, and finally found a reference in a horn technique book about it. Most people don't seem to be so aware of what they are doing.

Mary Ann

[The Impaler]

Sorry, but I've always been under the impression that adding resistance requires LESS air. I think from a purely physical standpoint that this would stand up to reasoning as well. I mean, isn't that why buzzing the mouthpiece does us so much good???

From studying with Pat Sheridan and Sam Pilafian I've learned that the reason breathing exercises work so well is because there is NO resistance, and therefore you must move more air. Then when I buzz the mouthpiece it's easier, because a little resistance is added. And then when I put that into the horn, with even more resistance, it feels unbelievably easier, because the extra resistance requires less air to make the same sound.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I really don't think so.

[dave]

brass instruments have resonant frequencies. If you buzz at a different pitch, the horn is not going to resonate at that pitch; otherwise we wouldn't need valves, would we? Instead of buzzing a half step high,
buzz at the pitch the horn will resonate, then when you connect mouthpiece to horn, there will be no change.

Dave