Articulation

[Plugo]

i need your advice on improving attacks on the horn., i get a slight hesitation especially on the mid range of the horn, it only happens when i play a whole note or half note for example.
it is gotten better because i dont dwell on it that much any more. but i need to feel 100% about getting past it.

[pierso20]

i need your advice on improving attacks on the horn., i get a slight hesitation especially on the mid range of the horn, it only happens when i play a whole note or half note for example.
it is gotten better because i dont dwell on it that much any more. but i need to feel 100% about getting past it.

So are you saying that you don't have this problem on quarter/eighth or sixteenth notes?

If you can play shorter values fine, then my guess is that you may be over-thinking and being too careful when seeing a longer note.

Usually, when a hesitation happens it is because your air, buzz, and tongue are not coordinating at the same time. Try doing a few of these things:

1) Try playing a whole note with NO attack. Only articulate it through air and buzzing.
2) Then use a strong steady gust of air and sFz a whole note. Think "over articulate".
3) Now, using a "normal" volume, take in a steady breath in the tempo you wish to play at and the exact moment you breath out (using a steady air stream) buzz and attack the note with a similar tongue as with step 2.

This is a simple set of steps only based on what you have given. You could possibly have an embouchure problem or something else that no one on tubenet could identify since we cannot see you. I suggest asking your teacher or, if you don't have one, find someone with some brass playing experience that can help.

Good luck!

*edit

Since it seems like you don't have an attack issue with shorter note values, try using the same articulation (which you should do anyway) on the longer notes. Remember to support the notes with a fast, steady stream of air.

[ztuba]

practice Berlioz symphony fantastique 5th movement stuff where written and down an octave using all the different articulation types.... I doubt after doing this you will have issues.

[ginnboonmiller]

This stuff is personal and best worked out with a teacher. Won't stop me from a pat answer, though. Might be a timing issue. Like, you're articulating the note with the tongue, then starting the note properly with the air. Think of starting the note with the air and getting the tongue out of the way right at the top of the beat. So the tongue releases the note, rather than starting it.

Or just play a bunch of long tones until you get it right. It's going to be the same process that way, too.

[iiipopes]

And for an articulation consonant, instead of the sharp "Toh" or the dull "Doh," try the Chinese consonant in the middle, variously represented as the first letter of the philosophical "Dao" or "Tao," but of course with the "oh" vowel tongue placement so the air flow has relaxed volume and structure to support the tone, but not too much velocity to get a good immediate tone. The place on the tongue right behind the tip as it goes to the flat is articulated against the point where the upper incisors meet the palate, so it is smoother than a British English "T" consonant, but not as soft as an American English "D" consonant. This gives good articulation with a minimum of air disruption.