Paul Raffeld

Manny,
As a comeback player, I have found that I vocalize(grunt) when tounging and sometimes sluring. I have a hard time keeping my throat open. I also had problems with my jaw being forward. but your suggestion of using "Too" or TU helped a lot. However, the grunting gets worse when I try to push my jaw forwards. Any advise would be welcomed.

Thanks

Paul

Manny Laureano

The grunting sounds come from bearing down which causes a tightness in the throat area.

Your abs are likely very tight when you play which is not good in the middle and lower register you're currently working on. grab a piece of tissue paper and jimmy-rig it somehow to your music stand or something a few feet away from you. Blow and make it move steadily. Now tense your abs and vocalize grunts, etc. The paper won't move much if at all because the tightness that constricts the wind.

You want to play in the free fashion that moved the paper. That'll get rid of the grunting.

ML