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Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 10:36 am
by Claudio
Hy everybody ! I have to learn some technique for open/close sounds emission.
At the moment I have no idea regarding those weird + and - signs above the notes :???:
Thanks for your suggestions.

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 12:09 pm
by VJOFan
Do you mean + and 0?

Otherwise I would have to see the sheet music that uses + and - signs.

Other than tuning directions, I haven't seen that.

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 12:41 pm
by Doug Elliott
Is it supposed to be with a plunger, open & closed? Usually marked O for open and + for closed.

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 1:19 pm
by Claudio
oh yes - sorry - I don't know why I wrote + & - ... it is + & o as you mentioned

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:04 pm
by Doug Elliott

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:05 pm
by robcat2075
Sometimes on a trumpet and usually on a horn it means to use the hand as the mute in the bell but this is mostly ineffective on a large trombone bell.

I'm surprised your music with + and o did not include a courtesy indicator of "plunger mute" at the first instance.

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:20 pm
by baileyman
Plunger usually alternates closed/open note by note. Sometimes it will switch up, so you have to watch. To get the hang of the motion, try something simple in time alternating note by note. There can be some imbalance to figure out and get comfortable with. Then try following the notes and the signs. No use trying everything at once.

Re: Open / Close sounds

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 4:26 pm
by elmsandr
Could also be with a hat, depends on the piece and how much of an effect you want.

<

Repeating lick:
Doo Wah Doo Wah

Doo's are closed,
Wahs are open.

LOTs of sound of the opening during the wah in this recording... that may or may not be intentional. Play with the sounds and see what you like. Try to exaggerate it a lot, it doesn't come across as extreme as you think when you get 10 feet away from the bell.

Cheers,
Andy