Wats the deal??? Articulation that projects

[CJceltics33]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQbmhdKigUQ

Watch from the 11 minute mark. The difference between the very talented students and Tom Rolfs is astounding. He doesn't seem to be playing any louder, but his articulation projects so much more. What is he doing? How can I develop this?

[Tpt_Guy]

He isn't playing softer, not that I can hear, but the opposite.

He is playing with certainty and at the correct dynamic to be heard properly in an audience.

The students, while good players, seemed a little intimidated and backed off, and also seemed as if they weren't as familiar with the piece as he is (imagine that). Thus, they lacked the certainty that comes with experience.

But to answer your question, practice getting an articulation that seems to pop and gives an instant response and clear sound. If needed, this can be accomplished on a gradient from breath attacks to "poo" attacks to tongued attacks. It can take some time, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen over night. It is the attack that sets the stage for the rest of the note. It is very difficult to recover a note that has a poor articulation, but easy to back off and still be heard when articulation is clear.
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[Troy Sargent]

Rolfs gives a hint at the end of playing with the student the Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta he does with his air. He’s using a different articulation quality than the student. Apparently the student was also working on it.

Remember that articulation is caused by a sudden release of air. A “T” sound seems to work the best to serve as a valve to suddenly release the air for an articulation

Well what “t” sound should we use? There are 5 of them in English and only one of them will give you the articulation quality that you want. You are looking for what is called an “aspirated t” which appears at the beginning of words like Table, Took, or Touch.

Ive found with my students however, that if you say hoT you get the best possible T sound.

Say: hoT > ot > T > Ta > Too(with air like you are playing) and keep the T sound the same each time. It’s more challenging than you might think. Try and match the “point” on each one like Rolfs.

This kind of fundamental practice will set the articulation then you need to incorporate it in your playing. Ive also found that using an app where you can see the waveform and see if it “pops” into existence making a shelf. If you see a football shape it means that you are getting a “slow” articulation instead of a point

This level of articulation also isn’t going to be possible unless your lip is ready to vibrate instantly which requires a level of refinement in embouchure and care that is well developed. It doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
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[omelet]

I think he has a microphone on his shirt and that is why it sounds different.

[zaferis]

Yes, to the first couple of replies - NO the microphone didn't make it sound that way..

It's not the articulation that projects, but the immediate tone right after a quick, clean, appropriate articulation.
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[omelet]

I am not disputing the teacher has a better articulation, but there is no way to determine which one is projecting more to an audience in front of the players from that video. When you put a microphone right up where someone is playing versus to the side and across the room, that is the biggest factor in how loud it sounds. He is clearly wearing a mic and the students are not.

[Robert P]

Nothing magic going on - yes he's a better player but the difference in presence you're hearing is because he's mic'd differently than they are.
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[zaferis]

[Vin DiBona]

Tom Rolfs was a student of Vincent Cichowicz (among others).
The pop you hear comes from the theory of 10% consonant 90% vowel release with a smooth air flow.
This comes down from Arnold Jacobs and is the reason many great players who understand and have learned these teachings have this clear articulation.
Those of us who were trained in Chicago have this manner of attack in our playing.
My late college teacher was one of Cichowicz's first group of students. He had a gorgeous sound and exactly this kind of clean articulation.
A close friend and mentor was also in that group and even at 84 still has that "pop" and pure sound.
R. Tomasek

[JayKosta]

Have the INTENT of doing a clean & crisp articulation, and the CONFIDENCE to do it with full immediate commitment.

Jay
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Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
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[Robert P]

[kalijah]

Definitely a different microphone placement for the 2 cases. To make a valid comparison would require the SAME setup.

[kalijah]

[CJceltics33]

Thank you for bringing the mic to my attention, but I am more interested in the articulation quality. The Cichowicz vowel thing is very interesting---I'll be sure to experiment with that.

By the way, anyone have the Cichowicz CD with Rolfs playing? Is there a recording on YouTube?