View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
sgsop New Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 9
|
Posted: Wed May 22, 2024 7:03 pm Post subject: Air Tongue coordination |
|
|
Hi all, I have a question for you.
During a recent practice session I realized that while playing I’m leading with my tongue and not with my air. Once I realized this, I started playing with a more active air stream and tried to “ride the air” with my tongue. I’m curious if anyone has any idea on how to add this to my daily practice routine. Are there any exercises that you like that engage the air and make you feel like you’re leading from your diaphragm? This balance will be in the forefront of my practice for significant period starting now, but I would love to find as many different ways to address this issue as I can. I tend to lack imagination in my practice sessions and I want to develop a this habit in a consistent manner. Thank you in advance! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
zaferis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 2362 Location: Beavercreek, OH
|
Posted: Thu May 23, 2024 2:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, a "flag tonging" exercise.. I have two that I rotate through.
One that came from Vincent DiMartino .. basically starting with a measure 4 slow quarter (middle of the staff g) notes then 8ths, then 16ths (though I insert a measure of triplets) being sure to focus on the air (the tongue flapping in the breeze like a flag on a pole). moving up chromatically to at least the c in the staff.
Or a rhythmic repetition starting on a g, of two 5/8 measures accenting 1 and 3 (XxXxx, XxXxx) followed by increasingly longer measures - 7/8 (XxXxXxx), 9/8 (XxXxXxXxx) Again focusing on the same tongue action accenting with pulses of air - the air is doing the work not the tongue. The tongue thus doing the same action-steady 1/8's throughout. again up chromatically.
||: daily practice isolating proper Air, Tongue, Fingers :|| before combining these these elements.
Air
Air + Tongue
Air + Fingers
Air + Tongue + Fingers _________________ Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman |
|
Back to top |
|
|
abontrumpet Heavyweight Member
Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1831
|
Posted: Thu May 23, 2024 4:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's always difficult to give specific advice when we are not hearing you play, but I will try to give some general advice:
The primary function of the tongue during articulation is to seal the system temporarily. To practice this, you can simply play a long tone, get the tongue to seal the system for a second or two while everything else remains "the same" or "in equilibrium," then remove the tongue to restart the note. Often when people are trying to "ride the air" they end up sealing the system less and tongue less precisely, don't be afraid to tongue with more deliberation.
"Not riding the air," to me indicates perhaps one of two things that can both be related to the above "primary function" write-up.
1. Your tongue is struggling to maintain efficiency at quicker tempos; or
2. you are not getting the right "sound/shape" of the note and it makes it sound clunky
For 1. You must gain efficiency by tonguing a lot with good technique. For 2. you must realize that beyond the "sealing" function of the tongue, the rest of articulation is dependent on how you deliver your sound (which includes air) on any given note or series of notes. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JayKosta Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 3380 Location: Endwell NY USA
|
Posted: Thu May 23, 2024 5:04 am Post subject: Re: Air Tongue coordination |
|
|
I suggest not attempting to control specific muscles for blowing - such as
sgsop wrote: | ... feel like you’re leading from your diaphragm? ... |
- I think that concentrating that way could detract from the necessary overall coordination of air and tongue.
Some people suggest that for initial attack of a note, to do it in steps:
Position tongue to stop the air
Increase internal air pressure to proper level
Release the tongue to sound the note on time
While that might work for them, I think most players have better results doing the attack as a quick single action of both tongue and air. _________________ 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'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Robert P Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2627
|
Posted: Thu May 23, 2024 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: Air Tongue coordination |
|
|
sgsop wrote: | Hi all, I have a question for you.
During a recent practice session I realized that while playing I’m leading with my tongue and not with my air. Once I realized this, I started playing with a more active air stream and tried to “ride the air” with my tongue. I’m curious if anyone has any idea on how to add this to my daily practice routine. Are there any exercises that you like that engage the air and make you feel like you’re leading from your diaphragm? This balance will be in the forefront of my practice for significant period starting now, but I would love to find as many different ways to address this issue as I can. I tend to lack imagination in my practice sessions and I want to develop a this habit in a consistent manner. Thank you in advance! |
Based on what you've said here your concept is incomplete.
I don't know what you mean by leading with your tongue, riding the air. Your tongue and air need to do what they need to do for any given pitch and volume level. As I've said numerous times in here there are multiple elements that *all* have to be in place. Your tongue and air are part of it but only part of it.
Quoting myself from another thread - you can search through my previous posts to find the same input, you'll find me debating others who don't think it's necessary to be aware of these elements - it's been crucial for me.
Quote: | pressure/pressure distribution, teeth gap/alignment/horn angle, what's going on with the muscles of the lips & face, lip overlap of the edges of the teeth, tongue & oral cavity, throat, use of air. |
_________________ Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C
Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Flugel |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wilktone Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Aug 2002 Posts: 729 Location: Asheville, NC
|
Posted: Fri May 24, 2024 7:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Without hearing you play, I'm not certain exactly what your description actually means. It seems more like a playing analogy than actual description of playing mechanics. That said, if it's speaking to you, keep using it.
I think of the tongue as a refining factor of the attack, where the air is the defining factor. You can practice breath attacks and then go into a very light tongued attack to work on this. _________________ wilktone.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|