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nieuwguyski
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 2344
Location: Santa Cruz County, CA
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 Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Why obsess about low F#?
As far as I'm concerned, it's just as much a "specialist" note as notes above high C.
Seriously, how often do you need a full, beautiful low F#, at any dynamic?
Is it really more often that you need to play a full, beautiful note above the staff, at any dynamic?
That said, I acknowledge that many teaching methodologies hammer on building range from the bottom and stress developing a bone-rattling low F# before trying to play high.
I don't necessarily agree with that.
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J. Notso Nieuwguyski |
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Tenring
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Joined: 18 Aug 2019
Posts: 80
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:03 am Post subject: |
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I started the thread because I couldn’t usually get the low notes out. If I did they were not smooth, and didn’t sound good. I don’t think anyone is obsessing here. It’s just a discussion where some folks have volunteered to help with what I asked about. I’m a comeback player from 32 years ago and back then in school band I don’t remember ever focusing on fundamentals. What I’ve learned so far is at my beginning stage it’s best to keep practice sessions short but frequent, that playing the low notes teaches me to relax. Since I taken advice from this conversation my below the staff notes have improved 100%. My tone low is very good now too, which has helped my tone overall! I’m happy I’m improving!!!
Charles |
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john4860
Regular Member
Joined: 08 Jun 2017
Posts: 61
Location: Toledo Ohio
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:24 am Post subject: |
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I would say that the better you can play the low notes (including low f#) the better you can play the trumpet. Especially being able to single tongue the notes from low c to low f# and being able to rapidly single tongue and slur from low notes into the middle range up to high c is very beneficial. This solidifies/strengthens/coordinates my embouchure and allows me to play accurately and musically. Also playing long tones from low c to low f# allows for a quick warmup.
John
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Staying relaxed is 90% of trumpet playing |
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cheiden
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Joined: 28 Sep 2004
Posts: 8911
Location: Orange County, CA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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| nieuwguyski wrote: | Why obsess about low F#?
As far as I'm concerned, it's just as much a "specialist" note as notes above high C.
Seriously, how often do you need a full, beautiful low F#, at any dynamic?
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Many of the most used method books provide exercises that go down to F#. With a well-rounded routine there's no reason not to be able to play there with control.
| Quote: | | That said, I acknowledge that many teaching methodologies hammer on building range from the bottom and stress developing a bone-rattling low F# before trying to play high. |
I have never heard of any approach that employs that thinking. I have heard from several different approaches that say that the lower (and pedal) register developed in the proper way can assist with upper range technique.
I do entertain a good deal of frustration with players who fixate on low notes and pedals and do crazy things with their embouchures to play them loudly in ways that aren't musical and don't ever seem to improve their playing.
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