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w00005414
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 Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:18 am Post subject: shrugging shoulder |
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Hi all,
I re-discovered today that shrugging one of my shoulders up a little when I play (not with a ton of tension of course) tends to open up my sound and makes it easier for me to tongue in the staff. I 'think' it does two things, it keeps me from bearing down and overblowing the note and it also helps open up the base of my throat so I don't choke off any notes. i tend to lean my head over to that side too when I play.
Anyone have any thoughts on this good or bad?
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shofarguy
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:38 am Post subject: |
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What horn are you playing. How heavy is it? Is it balanced, or perhaps just a little nose heavy?
It is usually thought that engaging muscles that aren't actually used for playing is detrimental. I would think that there may be other breathing habits in play that need adjustment so that the shoulder shrugging is no longer needed. You may be compensating for something else that is hindering your play.
Brian
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Brian A. Douglas
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper
There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds. |
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w00005414
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:28 am Post subject: |
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Hey Brian, thanks for the reply, I play a Sonare that is super light compared to the Taylor I sold a couple of years ago so I don't think it is a heavy-horn issue. One thing that happens to me is I tend to tense up in the throat and choke of my air. It doesn't happen a lot and I try and keep it in check but it still creeps back into my playing. I also struggle with air speed and tend to over blow my chops so I think lifting the whole mechanism up somehow makes it harder for me to tense up the throat (maybe it opens up the air path more, not sure) and if I am not bearing down I'll tend to slow the air down a little more and breathe it out instead of forcing it out.
-Brian
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abontrumpet
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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I would agree with Brian.
Reevaluate your fundamental production of tone. Big full breath and focus on a wonderful sound. |
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shofarguy
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| w00005414 wrote: | Hey Brian, thanks for the reply, I play a Sonare that is super light compared to the Taylor I sold a couple of years ago so I don't think it is a heavy-horn issue. One thing that happens to me is I tend to tense up in the throat and choke of my air. It doesn't happen a lot and I try and keep it in check but it still creeps back into my playing. I also struggle with air speed and tend to over blow my chops so I think lifting the whole mechanism up somehow makes it harder for me to tense up the throat (maybe it opens up the air path more, not sure) and if I am not bearing down I'll tend to slow the air down a little more and breathe it out instead of forcing it out.
-Brian |
Brian,
I have a breathing exercise that I developed for myself to establish/reinforce good breathing form. I based it on years of vocal training and watching my 6 children breath at 6-9 months old when they first learned to sit up on their own. They exhibited perfect breathing form. I can send it to you in a PM, if you like.
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Brian A. Douglas
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper
There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds. |
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garrett901
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crzytptman
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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Love the links, Garrett. Those are actually pretty good reasons to start raising shoulders . . . 
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Crazy Nate - Fine Yet Mellow Fellow
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garrett901
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Love the links, Garrett. Those are actually pretty good reasons to start raising shoulders . . . |
Agreed ! Raising shoulders does not necessarily mean extra tension.
I personally raise my shoulders also. My right goes slightly higher than my left, depending on the register I'm playing in.
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Jeff Garrett
Playing "G" Soprano Bugle, Freelancers Alumni/Mini Corps
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abontrumpet
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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Ok.
In my opinion...all these pictures do not depict raising of shoulders. With the exception of Al Hirt, they are just very large men or simply not raising their shoulders. Al Hirt, one could argue is not raising his shoulders but rather leaning.
Ok. Lets make the argument that these guys are in fact raising their shoulders (which they are not...but for the purpose of this lets say they are). If they are, then a picture is not valid evidence for raising of the shoulders, a video would need to be provided. Why? Well, because a picture depicts an instantaneous moment in time. So while they may be "raising their shoulders" in their respective photos (which they are not) that doesn't necessarily mean they chronically raise their shoulders...which is the case of our OP.
Chronically raising the shoulder/s should be avoided. Doc severensin definitely does not raise his shoulders...he just often wears coats with shoulder pads. |
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garrett901
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| Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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Hmmm...
Yep a picture Is only a split second in time.
I have seen MANY vidieos/live performances of these gentelmen, shrugging there shoulders whyle playing. Mostly moving to the mood of the music. Didnt effect there sound at all.
The op wrote: (I added the highlights)
| Quote: | | I re-discovered today that shrugging one of my shoulders up a little when I play (not with a ton of tension of course) [u]tends to open up my sound and makes it easier[/u] for me to tongue in the staff. |
Now I read into this (and I could be wrong) The op was merely asking for an opinion about whether shoulder shrugging would either hurt or help, playing. The pictures I posted are worth a thousand words, and I repeat my advice. If shrugging your shoulders hurt some aspect of your playing, then don't shrug your shoulders. If it helps, then shrug away.
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Jeff Garrett
Playing "G" Soprano Bugle, Freelancers Alumni/Mini Corps
NorCal Horn Line Instructor/Musical Arranger
Kanstul G Soprano (Powerbore Bell)
Yamaha YTR-739T
Xtream XZ w/ XXX backbore GREAT MP!!!
http://freelancers-alumni.org |
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