TromboneChat

Hi,

Long time-lurker, first-time poster. I've been 'bone playing for 30+ years with a few breaks just in school bands/orchestras and then community brass bands in Australia. Playing a Bach 42B with Yamaha 51L mpce.

With the inspiration of an experienced 1st trombonist joining the band I'm trying to level up a bit in my playing, practice more and pay more attention to where I'm dropping the ball.

I've noticed that moving from F to G on the stave (i.e. 1st to 4th) is a bit hit and miss. The G rarely comes out smoothly, and I'm either just blowing air or having to tounge it too hard. If its supposed to be piano forget it..

I've been trying some things like Caruso's 6 notes as warm ups but thought I'd reach out to the Brains Trust here for advice.


Additionally, there's a bloke nearby selling a Packer JP3320 Rath - is it a dumb idea to try it out and see if it blows better than my 42?

Thanks all.

Obviously it would be best to have someone who knows chops take a look. But in the meantime:

Check your slide motion in the mirror. That's an awkward spot and you may be changing pressure on your chops or angle of the mouthpiece.

Start on the Bb and gliss down to the G very slowly. Now from the G gliss to the F in 6th and back up to G. What happened? Same problem, or not? Now start on the F above the staff, lip slur to the Bb, repeat the glisses. If you're looking in the mirror you'll see you areif bouncing the slide.

Exercise: Blow through the position change and do not use the tounge.

When the slide is extended fast there is a need to compensate with air for the small vaccum that do happen. We do this unconsciously as we get better so usually not a problem but if we play very soft this can be an issue.

/Tom

Hmmm...

Well, yes, it's a dumb idea to think of the Rath as a solution to your problem. It isn't the horn, and another horn isn't going to solve it.

The problem and the solution all happen before the mouthpiece. This is an embouchure issue. I've seen this same thing on exactly this note/partial many times before. I think you need to have someone knowledgeable examine your embouchure. This can be caused by any of a number of small issues that simply need an adjustment. I suggest you get with a good diagnostic teacher. If there isn't one where you live, everyone here says Doug Elliot is a master at this kind of thing.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

timothy42b wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 5:34 am If you're looking in the mirror you'll see you areif bouncing the slide.

Do you mean like vertical motion of the whole instrument? Or the slide not being steady? There is certainly some movement overall when I get out to fourth, which I guess could lead back to impact on the embouchure.

tbdana wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 11:08 am I suggest you get with a good diagnostic teacher. If there isn't one where you live, everyone here says Doug Elliot is a master at this kind of thing.

No idea if a specialist is around here, but I can ask around. Otherwise I'll contact Doug, heard good things

I actually just recalled that some years ago before I started playing again, I had a mandibular splint (mouthguard) as a sleep apnea treatment - I didn't realise at the time that the device was designed to gradually but permanently alter my jaw to open up the throat. I stopped after a few sessions ($200+ to tighten a screw!) but I wonder if that has had an impact. I did feel it changed my bite slightly. Hmm.

It could be an embouchure issue but it's probably a combination of several things. The suction of pushing the slide out is real - you need to add a little extra push of air for outward slide motion.