KTM for Low Brass?

[Terry]

I was wondering if the K-tongue modified is applicable to low brass instruments? Does anybody know of trombone players who use this technique? I have never seen this technique mentioned in low brass literature.

[ZeroMan]

Mr. Gordon published versions of his method books for trombone players, so I would guess that the KTM is applicable to the low brass. I think his low brass books are still in print.

[Jeff_Purtle]

It works for any brass instrument because it is correct. "K Tongue Modified" allows the tongue to always maintain the controlled arch (different for every note), which guarantees accuracy and ease in the high register with developed practice. A lot of people have the notion they can play without "tongue level" and use some other way like their lips. "Tongue Level" is more than just "think 'Eee", blow strong, and you will go higher." "Tongue Level" is the idea that every single note has a specific position for your tongue that is learned through the experiences in daily practice. To not tongue KTM gets in the way of the tongue level that everyone is using even if they don't know it.

I teach all the brass instruments and try to read as much from other people as possible.
The only other book I know of that mentions this is "The Art of Tuba Playing" by Harvey Phillips.
"The Art of Trombone Playing" mentions the common belief about tonguing.

I believe that if you yourself develop at KTM and then know what to listen for, you can hear other people doing KTM in their playing. Frank Kaderabek for example was certain he didn't tongue this way when he was guest soloist at Claude's 1984 Brass Camp (my first one to go to). By the following year he had told Claude he tongued that way all along and never knew it. Claude knew he was doing it all along.
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Jeff Purtle
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