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rowuk · 12-12-2006, 01:41 PM

The biggest enemy of upward slurs is inadequate support. If your airflow has to noticeably "change" to get next note in the partial series you need to take a step back and check your breathing.
Let's assume you want to slur starting with 3rd space C-E-G. Before you play the C, inhale deeply and without holding the air in, exhale and play the (high)G without tonguing. If it doesn't work the first time, try again. Once you can exhale the G with a full sound, you are ready to slur C-E-G - your breath support will do the work for you. If you want to slur to high C, you need to be able to exhale it first!
I personally never talk about speed or corners or tongue placement when teaching slurs. Those things do in fact change when playing, I have never run into a problem with them once the breathing habits are well trained. AFTER the breathing issue is well on its way, there are exercises to strengthen the corners and aid tongue/lip tension coordination. They are useful when learning lip trills and fast or wide slurring.

12-12-2006, 01:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 4,394	Re: Slurring upward The biggest enemy of upward slurs is inadequate support. If your airflow has to noticeably "change" to get next note in the partial series you need to take a step back and check your breathing. Let's assume you want to slur starting with 3rd space C-E-G. Before you play the C, inhale deeply and without holding the air in, exhale and play the (high)G without tonguing. If it doesn't work the first time, try again. Once you can exhale the G with a full sound, you are ready to slur C-E-G - your breath support will do the work for you. If you want to slur to high C, you need to be able to exhale it first! I personally never talk about speed or corners or tongue placement when teaching slurs. Those things do in fact change when playing, I have never run into a problem with them once the breathing habits are well trained. AFTER the breathing issue is well on its way, there are exercises to strengthen the corners and aid tongue/lip tension coordination. They are useful when learning lip trills and fast or wide slurring. __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.