| dear Butch,
Tip-o for the day-o numero uno
Gentle sight-readers,
I was working with one of my brass sections at Minnesota Youth Symphony and stopped to help the horns with low register problems. I gave them a little tip that I'll pass on to you.
Have you been having problems with your low register?
Try this:
Go to Arban's and crack it open to page 125. That's the page with interval work the first of which ranges from low G to middle C. If you've had problems with that sort of exercise, substitute the fingering of 1-3 for the low Gs with open instead. The most important thing to attend to is that the G be absolutely in tune. To warm up this concept, play the low G normally then play it open immediately for pitch comparison.
When you have the pitch secure, play the exercise with the alternate open fingering all the way through.
Do it once more, with feeling.
Now, take it down a half step and substitute 123 with 2nd valve.
After you've done that twice go back and play the original exercise with the normal fingerings for low G. If it's not better, I'll be surprised.
Be creative with this concept but not obsessive. Creative and reasonable, good; obsessive, bad.
Later,
ML |