The reason why it takes so much air is because there is no back-pressure. When you buzz, the air goes everywhere, but when you are playing on the horn the pressure helps regulate your air flow. Also keep in mind you do not need to play very loud at all when you buzz - you shouldn't try to match the volume level you get with the instrument (amplifier). It's like singing without a microphone/speakers, but trying to be as loud as you would be with the microphone/speakers.
What I suggested in a previous post:
I would suggest going down to your local hardware store and purchase about a foot of plastic cylindrical tubing. It should be fairly thick (such that it is stiff), and bring in your mouthpiece so you can find one with a proper diamater such that your shank fits quite snug within the tube.
When you buzz, stick that tubing onto the shank of your mouthpiece. This will add some resistance which will allow you to buzz lower without covering da hole. This is CHEAP!
The previous post I speak of:
viewtopic.php?t=11766
Buzzing Longer?
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ufoneum
- 3 valves
- Posts: 385
- Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:58 pm
- Location: Evansville, IN
Isn't that the point?Oric wrote:Well, if you manage to be able to get a good sustained tone on a mouthpiece, you'll be insane on the horn!
- Pat Stuckemeyer
Assistant Prof. of Music - Kentucky Wesleyan College (Owensboro, KY)
Buffet Crampon and Besson Performing Artist
Conductor, River Brass Band (Evansville, IN)
Treasurer, International Tuba Euphonium Association
facebook.com/stuckemeyer
patstuckemeyer.com
Buffet Crampon and Besson Performing Artist
Conductor, River Brass Band (Evansville, IN)
Treasurer, International Tuba Euphonium Association
facebook.com/stuckemeyer
patstuckemeyer.com
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Kevin Hendrick
- 6 valves
- Posts: 3156
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:51 pm
- Location: Location: Location
Maybe not that impressive (or flammable) ...bloke wrote:you mean like what comes from Grandpa's chair after his Thanksgiving dinner?Grooving for Heaven wrote:If you are relaxed, the air should just fall out of your body at a impressive rate.
"Don't take life so serious, son. It ain't nohow permanent." -- Pogo (via Walt Kelly)
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ufoneum
- 3 valves
- Posts: 385
- Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:58 pm
- Location: Evansville, IN
I do buzzing exercises everyday. Through study with several people, I find this to be one of the most effective exercises for producing a full, rich sound. Here is what I do:
First, I had never been able to sustain a good solid buzz for more than a couple of seconds. I found that with a little work on a few areas, it really helped my overall sound package.
When beginning to work this problem area, first you need to address the air. Proper breathing is essential to proper buzz. Just like Sam and Pat say - "It's easy! Air makes buzz, buzz makes sound."
After working the breathing for a bit (10-15 minutes), move to the mouthpiece. While I could sustain the pitch for a bit, I could not move the pitch very low. It is much more effective for a full buzz when you can get a full, low buzz. So, through practice you can slowly "work your way down."
Start with a low Bb (Bb in the staff for euphonium, octave lower for tubas). Start with ascending diatonic progressions. Bb-C-Bb, Bb-D-Bb, etc. until you get to an octave. Slur these passages and do them quickly. You will find these extremely taxing, and very difficult. But, with work you will find that they come easier for you. Slowly start to work your way down to A, then Ab, etc. Euphonium players should be able to buzz a pedal Bb on the mouthpiece (without added resistance of a berp or tubing with practice).
Another exercise is to take this to the higher registers. Use the Arnold Jacob's Beautiful Sounds exercise (D-R-D-T-D-M-S-L-D----D-R-D-T-D-L-S-M-D) and ascend chromatically.
A key to buzzing is pitch stability. If you can hold a pitch constant on the mouthpiece, then centering that pitch becomes much easier on the horn. I have found that I thought my horn was predisposed to certain pitch problems, but I found that I was centering those pitches low/high anyway. If you can retrain your pitch reference, then you can center notes on the horn better. Better center = more focused sound.
The key to all of this is practice. Realistically, you should spend about 5-10 minutes on this after you stretch/breathe before you start your daily routine. The key is to relax and rest the lips. Good rule of thumb, for every minute of buzzing - you should allow your body two minutes to recover.
Hope this helps.
- Pat Stuckemeyer
First, I had never been able to sustain a good solid buzz for more than a couple of seconds. I found that with a little work on a few areas, it really helped my overall sound package.
When beginning to work this problem area, first you need to address the air. Proper breathing is essential to proper buzz. Just like Sam and Pat say - "It's easy! Air makes buzz, buzz makes sound."
After working the breathing for a bit (10-15 minutes), move to the mouthpiece. While I could sustain the pitch for a bit, I could not move the pitch very low. It is much more effective for a full buzz when you can get a full, low buzz. So, through practice you can slowly "work your way down."
Start with a low Bb (Bb in the staff for euphonium, octave lower for tubas). Start with ascending diatonic progressions. Bb-C-Bb, Bb-D-Bb, etc. until you get to an octave. Slur these passages and do them quickly. You will find these extremely taxing, and very difficult. But, with work you will find that they come easier for you. Slowly start to work your way down to A, then Ab, etc. Euphonium players should be able to buzz a pedal Bb on the mouthpiece (without added resistance of a berp or tubing with practice).
Another exercise is to take this to the higher registers. Use the Arnold Jacob's Beautiful Sounds exercise (D-R-D-T-D-M-S-L-D----D-R-D-T-D-L-S-M-D) and ascend chromatically.
A key to buzzing is pitch stability. If you can hold a pitch constant on the mouthpiece, then centering that pitch becomes much easier on the horn. I have found that I thought my horn was predisposed to certain pitch problems, but I found that I was centering those pitches low/high anyway. If you can retrain your pitch reference, then you can center notes on the horn better. Better center = more focused sound.
The key to all of this is practice. Realistically, you should spend about 5-10 minutes on this after you stretch/breathe before you start your daily routine. The key is to relax and rest the lips. Good rule of thumb, for every minute of buzzing - you should allow your body two minutes to recover.
Hope this helps.
- Pat Stuckemeyer
Assistant Prof. of Music - Kentucky Wesleyan College (Owensboro, KY)
Buffet Crampon and Besson Performing Artist
Conductor, River Brass Band (Evansville, IN)
Treasurer, International Tuba Euphonium Association
facebook.com/stuckemeyer
patstuckemeyer.com
Buffet Crampon and Besson Performing Artist
Conductor, River Brass Band (Evansville, IN)
Treasurer, International Tuba Euphonium Association
facebook.com/stuckemeyer
patstuckemeyer.com
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iiipopes
- Utility Infielder
- Posts: 8580
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:10 am
This is what my 7-year old son and I am doing to introduce him to brass. He has shown natural aptitude and interest. So I got him a mouthpiece, and we buzz quite happily at anything he wants to, whether it be tunes, long notes, short notes, soft and loud, etc. Of course, he still blows notes on my tuba and the Bach 300 cornet I bought him in perfect shape used for $200, but we still mainly use the mouthpiece. Neither of us are in any hurry. He'll be there when he gets there, and is having a lot of fun.
BTW, yesterday he aced his 2d grade general music exam, and got all the extra credit points as well!!
BTW, yesterday he aced his 2d grade general music exam, and got all the extra credit points as well!!
Jupiter JTU1110
"Real" Conn 36K
"Real" Conn 36K