Quote:
Originally Posted by MFfan  Not all that foolish, Morris. the ups and downs refer to the left hand grip on the horn with how many fingers normally placed over the usual third slide, and under it, depending on the size of the wrap and the comfort of the player. Variations are possible, as were mentioned. There was a thread somewhere recently about this subject. I usually use 3 up and one down, the ring finger used for the 3rd valve ring or adjustable ring,if any, and the thumb within the 1st slide saddle, if any. |
I have contributed to many such threads about left hand grip, but I never heard of it being put that way before.
As I have said in the past, I could never use the Maynard Ferguson 1970's grip of one finger above the 3rd slide because it was uncomfortable and because it caused the trumpet to tilt in slightly the wrong direction.
Most fingers above the 3rd slide is more comfortable and also helps the correct trumpet tilt for me.
I have wondered if upstream players and downstream players tend to use different left hand grips because of their different needs in tilting the trumpet slightly differently.
Downstream Ferguson had most fingers under 3rd slide, while upstream Severinsen had most fingers above the 3rd slide.
But you mention needing to use those slide adjustments, something I had not considered affecting left hand grip because I tend to think of "let 'er rip" jazz rather than "legit" playing.
Maybe you can answer a question for amateur me:
Under what circumstances do you use 1st and 3rd slide tuning adjustments, and under what circumstances do you just forget about it?
It it based on speed of the music making such adjustments possible or impossible, or is it based on the style of music such as jazz versus classical?
- Morris