Mzony

Eddie,
I hate to admit it, but the only think I have done on the concrete landing is pee on the bushes behind your studio.
Articulation has always been a strong area for me, flexibility is something that needs my daily attention. Lately, I have been getting caught up in the vowel sound of slurring. This doesn't specify extreme tounge movement, but it certainly employs some motion.
At the very least, thinking about the vowel sound forces me to concentrate more on the direction of the phrase, the sound of the instrument, and the shape of the note...It forces me to sing while I play, or (gasp) think like a singer.
I'm not thinking of Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh--------------eeeeeeeeeeeeee. Far from it. Ahhh can be sang probably a dozen ways with limitless colors, shapes, and sounds.
I'm reading over everything I wrote and I may sense to my self only. What I'm really trying to communicate is this: For me flexibility has always been a challenge. But as with any challenge behind the trumpet, we get only what we give. For me to hear the vowel of the sound, or the vowels changing from note to note as I am playing allows me a more fluid transition while making slurs happen from note to note. It also forces me to play more lyrically.
I re-discovered the Irons book, and am amazed at how challenging these excercise can be. Who knows? Maybe I'll write a book called the lyrical tounge!

Take Care. And Eddie, I'm sorry about the stench on your landing.

Mike