| Hi Manny,
I'm back with a progress report of sorts. Last week I came down with the flu/cold and while that didn't stop me from practicing, the practice sessions were not exactly high quality.
Your assesment of me was quite accurate. My best sound is in the low to mid-register. I have a problem getting the low g and f# to sound any louder than a mf, and everything above the g on top of the staff is forced. I was taught to not start a note until the abs were tensed up and the muscles at the corners of my mouth were also tensed up. Recently I've been trying to get rid of this habit and usually I will start by playing relaxed. However if the volume increases or if I have to go above a g on top of the staff, everything starts to tighten up. I tried doing what you suggested and today I have noticed some improvement. When I do a Colin flexibility study I no longer feel like I'm forcing and the sound is much brighter. Also when I play arpeggios the notes sound and feel more secure.
After some self-anaylasis this week I think that what is happening is my embouchure is spreading. I watched myself in a mirror and when I put the horn on my face my upper lip has a tendency to stretch a little just as the mouthpiece makes contact. Then when I take a breath while playing my whole mouth ends to open up a little and the rim of the mouthpiece settles on the middle of my lower lip.
Again, I'm sorry for such a long post. It seems brevity is not exactly my long suit. I forgot to mention last time I presently don't have a teacher, but afther the first of the year I'm planning on taking a few lessons with Bruce Lee.
Bill |