Buzz!

[Kory101]

Hello everyone,

I know this is probably going to sound like a broken record, but I just wanted to share my thoughts about buzzing the mouthpiece.

I buzzed quite a bit in my undergrad. Everyday I'd sit down at the beginning of a practice session and do some buzzing at the piano for maybe 10 minutes or so. Nothing too complicated, just something to get the air moving. A Rochut, some scales or something like that.

Later on in my undergrad I stopped buzzing. I can't really explain why. Lack of motivation, lazy, who knows. I didn't necessarily notice a decline in my playing so I didn't think much of it.

Once I moved to a new city and started studying with a new teacher, I really started to pay attention to the sound we make on our instruments. Listening to how important it is to have a clear, core-filled sound right off the bat. For the 1st year of my Diploma I didn't do a lot of buzzing even though my teacher talked about it and advocated it. It was just "oh great, I have to buzz again"

This past summer, I was assisting my teacher at a summer camp for high school students and every day we would try to get the kids (and ourselves) making the best sound possible. My teacher would demonstrate by doing this simple exercise:

1) Jacobs C-D-C-B-C-E-G-B-C exercise on the horn
2) "" Singing
3) "" Wind pattern
4) "" Buzzing
5) "" Playing again

EVERY SINGLE TIME the amount of sound that came out of the bell of my teacher, me and the kids was astounding.

I would literally almost start laughing every single time this happened. It was unbelievable how much more sound there was and how centered and full of "information" the sound was.

I started experimenting with this a lot more at school with some basic exercises and etudes and within the 1st week my buzz was richer, fuller and when I plugged it in the tuba the results were equally impressive.

I asked some of my colleagues at school if they buzzed and not many did. When I did the same "buzz-fix" exercise with them, I heard the exact same results.

I'm sold.

Buzz.

Cheers,
Kory

[arpthark]

3) "" Wind pattern

Could you explain what you mean by this? Just blowing air while singing notes in your head? If so, I do this occasionally, and it really helps with smoothing out slurs and grasping the physiological sense of the musical line.

[Michael Bush]

3) "" Wind pattern

Could you explain what you mean by this? Just blowing air while singing notes in your head? If so, I do this occasionally, and it really helps with smoothing out slurs and grasping the physiological sense of the musical line.

It's "playing" the horn with no buzz, just moving air through the horn and working the valves. Sheridan and Pilafian talk about it a good bit in Brass Gym.

[luke_hollis]

EVERY SINGLE TIME the amount of sound that came out of the bell of my teacher, me and the kids was astounding.

I would literally almost start laughing every single time this happened. It was unbelievable how much more sound there was and how centered and full of "information" the sound was.

I started experimenting with this a lot more at school with some basic exercises and etudes and within the 1st week my buzz was richer, fuller and when I plugged it in the tuba the results were equally impressive.

I asked some of my colleagues at school if they buzzed and not many did. When I did the same "buzz-fix" exercise with them, I heard the exact same results.

I'm sold.

Kory,

With full time work, a wife and 2 kids, a cat and a yard that needs me almost every weekend, I find I don't have a lot of time on my hands to practice.

Buzzing (especially during the commute although other drivers might think I am smoking a bowl) is the main way I keep the chops (and diaphragm) working well.

I totally agree with your assessment but have read the naysayers in previous posts.

Luke

[Kory101]

I wanna bump this.

I've been doing A LOT more buzzing and the payoff's have been pretty unbelievable.

In addition the Jacobs study I mentioned, I've also started doing some of the James Thompson Buzzing Book. Only a couple exercises and again, HUGE results.

Another one I picked up from my teacher is as follows:

Start on a G below the staff and play:
"do-re-mi-re-do-re-mi-re-do *pause* do-ti-la-ti-do-ti-la-ti-do"

Then buzz the same thing. Then back in the tuba and repeat play again. How does it sound? Better? I bet!

Go down (or up) in half-steps.

Another variation I've been doing is as follows:

On the same G bellow the staff, play:

FF "do-re-mi-re sub p do-re-mi-re-do *pause* FF "do-ti-la-ti sub p do-ti-la-ti-do.

Again, proceed up or down in half steps.

The goal here is immediacy of sound and center to each note.

I hope that's clear. If you have any question, let me know!

Happy Buzzing!

Kory

[ShoelessWes]

This is a great plug for one of my favorite books.


The James Thompson Buzzing Book. RIDICULOUSLY GOOD. I start every day with it and love it.

[Kory101]

Thank you! Corrected.