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lonelyangel · 03-16-2006, 08:04 AM

I think its important to realise that playing in the slots or on the sweetspot is not the same as playing in tune. You can play in tune with your tuning slide all the way in or pulled out twice as far as normal.

Discovering the resonant sweet spot is about learning to play in tune with the instrument - not with other people. That is why we all search for a trumpet where the intonation is good - that is one where the sweet spots are closer to true pitch.

When you are bending the notes I would suggest that you most definitely do not use a tuning device. What you need to do is listen very carefully. As you move through the sweet spot on any given note, more overtones will resonate and the sound will become richer; more complex in nature.

However - and this is very important - it will also be discernably louder too. make sure that you concentrate on keeping the air speed and pressure constant as you bend the notes. The temptation is to compensate for the smaller sound and decreased volume on the margins of the pitch bend by increasing the air speed or reducing the pressure to allow the lips to vibrate more. If you can control these variables and only move the pitch of the notes tyhen you will be able to find the part of the pitch that is the loudest - the pitch that the trumpet itself wants to play.

At this pitch you are working in sympathy with the instrument, rather than fighting against it.

Now if this sweet spot is 15, 10 or even only 5% louder than the pitch just slightly above and below - then it follows that to play at a given volume in the slot will take less effort than to play either side of it.

10% less effort, spread over a 3 hour gig - is a result worth working towards. Your sound will be richer, fuller, more lively and have better projection - for LESS EFFORT. Fantastic news!

I was introduced to this concept about 20 years ago through Bob Findley's teaching.

Hope this helps.

All the best. Noel.

03-16-2006, 08:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
lonelyangel Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: London Posts: 196	I think its important to realise that playing in the slots or on the sweetspot is not the same as playing in tune. You can play in tune with your tuning slide all the way in or pulled out twice as far as normal. Discovering the resonant sweet spot is about learning to play in tune with the instrument - not with other people. That is why we all search for a trumpet where the intonation is good - that is one where the sweet spots are closer to true pitch. When you are bending the notes I would suggest that you most definitely do not use a tuning device. What you need to do is listen very carefully. As you move through the sweet spot on any given note, more overtones will resonate and the sound will become richer; more complex in nature. However - and this is very important - it will also be discernably louder too. make sure that you concentrate on keeping the air speed and pressure constant as you bend the notes. The temptation is to compensate for the smaller sound and decreased volume on the margins of the pitch bend by increasing the air speed or reducing the pressure to allow the lips to vibrate more. If you can control these variables and only move the pitch of the notes tyhen you will be able to find the part of the pitch that is the loudest - the pitch that the trumpet itself wants to play. At this pitch you are working in sympathy with the instrument, rather than fighting against it. Now if this sweet spot is 15, 10 or even only 5% louder than the pitch just slightly above and below - then it follows that to play at a given volume in the slot will take less effort than to play either side of it. 10% less effort, spread over a 3 hour gig - is a result worth working towards. Your sound will be richer, fuller, more lively and have better projection - for LESS EFFORT. Fantastic news! I was introduced to this concept about 20 years ago through Bob Findley's teaching. Hope this helps. All the best. Noel. __________________ Noel Langley - Eclipse Artist noel@eclipsetrumpets.com Eclipse Medium Yellow, scratch gold Eclipse Medium Heavy Red, custom 'Diamond Back' in 24ct gold Eclipse Red Brass Flugel Custom Scherzer piccolo with copper Wedgewood bell, finished in scratch gold Giardinelli 6S, 6M, 6FL Bach 3CW