Singing during playing

[ds_le_moulin]

Hello,

I wanted to know if it's possible to sing a note lower than the one played on the tuba.

I have it quite difficult to sing really close intervals, really difficult to sing the same note as played on the tuba. And when I try to get lower, without aiming for doing it, I can only bend the played note to some lower note in order to sing lower.

For example, I have to play a C in middle of staff ( under the bass key F) and sing a D one tone higher of that. Then I am supposed to make a glissando.

Is it technically possible ? Or not ? Can someone do that ?

Thanks for the answers

[Dubby]

I can do it on euphonium. I would assume it would be easier on a tuba, but I might be wrong. I do know it is possible however.

[Trevor Bjorklund]

Singing and playing on low brass instruments is a very strange technique that is a bit different from either one alone.
1) Always easier to sing the upper note and play the lower note and much easier when there is at least a fifth in between the notes. The easiest notes to sing are consonant intervals above the played ones (and best if they fit into the overtone series of that note) and the hardest are close intervals like seconds. You will be fighting with the vibrations of the horn so it will feel weird.
2) When you sing, you put what amounts to a barrier in front of your air stream - the air slows down/pinches off as it has to move past your vocal chords and this will let your played pitch go flat, so...
3) Sing at least twice as loud as you play to get more air through. You may have to adjust for intonation with your lips too.

The notes you have to sing and play (d/c) should not be impossible but will take practice until you can hear them/feel them consistently. Try experimenting by transposing the sung/played harmonic interval up a step or two and also down to feel them. If you have to glissando your sung note down it will be very, very hard. Glissing up should be easier. Is this a new piece or are there available recordings?

[ds_le_moulin]

Thanks for your answers.
Playing a C and singing a D one tone higher is absolutely no problem.
Was is required is to start with this tone interval, and then make a glissando only with the singing note, down to the F... Do it means that the played note will still be a C but the sung one is a quint lower...
And I know it's really really difficult, since I can't do it.
I was just wondering if someone can do it...

[Trevor Bjorklund]

Write the composer a note and ask him/her to either re-write it so that it can be played or provide instructions as to how exactly he thinks it should be performed. I somehow doubt that this little gesture is so central to the work that the composer would rather make it mostly unplayable (as it is now) than change it.

[Pat S]

Anybody got a video demonstrating the process of singing while playing? I'm intrigued, but can't quite wrap my mind around it.

[GC]

3) Sing at least twice as loud as you play to get more air through. You may have to adjust for intonation with your lips too.

How do you do that, considering that both your singing and playing volume are both controlled by the same air flow?

[Kevin Hendrick]

Anybody got a video demonstrating the process of singing while playing? I'm intrigued, but can't quite wrap my mind around it.

Lots of 'em! Here's a good one to start with ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmnImXpQu7E

... and a Y'allTube search finds plenty more:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... +tuba&sm=1

Enjoy!

[Trevor Bjorklund]

How do you do that, considering that both your singing and playing volume are both controlled by the same air flow?

It sounds weird, but it works and keeps the played note from sagging. Basically it takes way less air to play a note to produce the same volume as it would to sing it. If you put your hand in front of your mouth and sing a note pianissimo then crescendo to fortissimo, you won't feel too much difference in the amount of air vs. if you buzz the same. Probably one of those mental tricks to get you to put more air through the horn+cords.

[ds_le_moulin]

Sooo... The composer wsa not as clear as it could be. Finally just need to make some normal singing... the hight is free choice
But by speaking with people around me, it seems that the effect is good on trumpet, possible on trombone (?) and on tuba (!). But still do not know how to do it... Finally no soo important considering that I don't have to do it right now