Producing A Rich Flugel Tone

coloradomacs · New Member Joined: 19 May 2020 Posts: 8

I'm wondering how I should work on my Flugelhorn playing to get the most deep rich tone possible. Any suggestions on what to practice and what to focus on to get that tone. I'd love to hear your favorite flugel players and favorite flugel pieces. I'm also interested to hear if you have any other types of tones you love and how to produce that tone.
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Bach Strad 37
Yamaha 631G

mafields627 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:08 pm Post subject:

It might be helpful if you told us what your gear is. If you're tying to get that trombone-esque sound on a horn designed for a light, French sound I don't think you'll get very far.
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--Matt--

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coloradomacs · New Member Joined: 19 May 2020 Posts: 8

Bryant Jordan · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:34 pm Post subject:

Something I always tell others when they’re striving for a certain sound is to have a solid and crisp concept of sound. Once you’ve established the exact concept of the sound you want (whether it’s a brilliant, resonant sound on the C or a fluffy, dark sound on flugel), you should constantly and actively be striving for it while playing.

Something that works for me when I play dark soft and fluffy is opening my aperture a bit more. That being said, different things work differently for different people, so experiment a little and see if you can find any instant sound changes. If not, over time, and with your sound concept, your sound will develop.

And as mentioned above, the right equipment will make a HUGE difference.

Good luck!

zaferis · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:29 pm Post subject:

You might be happier with some other mouthpieces, I've never settled into a Bach Flugel piece for sound, Yamaha 14F4 or Curry.. but that you'll have to do some searching/investigating .. For me the Curry 3FL. is a good mix of tone and playability.

As you practice with the Flugel, spend a lot of time playing softly and with a less aggressive articulation.. think D or L articulation (softer).. I think you'll find your tone will mellow and blossom. Try not to play it like your trumpet.

Additionally, listen to some good players to have a concept of what you're striving for.. Even some British Brass Bands to get a comparison to a jazz soloist/combo player.
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mafields627 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2020 5:14 pm Post subject:

I was going to recommend the Curry mouthpieces as well. I have a Yamaha Shew flugel and noticed a HUGE difference between the Curry mouthpiece and Shew mouthpiece. The tone was much darker and thick with the Curry.
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--Matt--

No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher!

Jon Arnold · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Jan 2002 Posts: 2025

Work on your concept first. Listen to Roy Hargrove, Bobby Shew and Carl Saunders flugel sounds. I have an Adams F1 and use a ACB 3MDF mouthpiece. Real happy with the setup.