bigtiny

Steve

1) listen to a wide variety of players and decide which ones you like. Based on that and on your practice, formulate an idea of the sound you want to make.

2) WHENEVER the mouthpiece is in your mouth, listen to the sound your making....listen to how it changes when you do things like breath, articulate differently...anything that changes your sound (whether if SHOULD be changing your sound or not)...in short ALWAYS be aware of the sound you are making, and the sound you want to make.

3) Strengthen your chops - long tones, lip slurs (SLOWLY!!!), play ballads, etc.

4) ALWAYS be aware of your breathing.

If you are constantly listening and constantly evaluating the sound your making against the sound you WANT to make, it will eventually come as you do the proper practicing (3 and 4 above).

However (and this is VERY important to understand) this can take years to evolve. I play jazz and improvised music, and from the time I first started playing sessions and thinking of myself as a 'real' player (meaning I figured I had the basics down) I wanted to have my own sound. I basically did what I've outlined above, along with all of the other practice and playing that one does....I'd say it took at least 10 years before I started getting into the ballpark, and probably another 5 to 7 years before I really started feeling like I was getting the sound I wanted. Be patient, and be aware, but don't obsess about it in a negative way...just keep working.

bigtiny