Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-11-07 06:57
Let's get back to basics. He is closing his throat most likely if he is getting an eee sound.
On youtube I've referred people to Lee Morgan. He gives short lessons and one of them is on sound, the position of the throat and saying euuu. This pretty much keeps the throat open.
Another technique is a must to master. Every player should do this. The tongue needs to be as close to the reed as possible. This does 2 things. Fast articulation of course. But also it keeps the throat open. To learn this is not so hard. It is best to learn this backwards. Take a quarter note and put the tongue on the reed. Release the note and air will follow, then stop the note with the tongue while still breathing. When doing this instruct the student to keep the tongue as close to the reed to stop the airflow. And lightly. Guess what, the tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the body. Use only one note, not a scale. After a week or 2 or so reverse this lesson and blow into the horn and keep the tongue as close to the reed as possible and stop the airflow every quarter note beat. This may take more time to master. Perhaps months. Doing the euuu, Lee Morgan concept. Just one note. Maybe open G, F, doesn't matter, just one note. Then 8th notes, 16th notes, then work on scales.
Increase the speed a bit each week. The goal would be to articulate scales, 16th notes, at or about 132. on the metronome would be your final goal. The more sharps and flats well a bit slower. After 132 it's time to consider double tonguing if possible, or wait for college. I'd rather wait and learn as much music as possible.
As for mouthpieces I am NOT a huge fan of Vandoren's. Same with a lot of others. Some are OK. But the M series, such as the M13, M13 play flat in the upper registers. Other Vandoren mouthpieces are pretty darn good, but tend to be too open. The tip openings. The length of the Vandoren's are just too long in length. So if you buy one expect to buy a shorter barrel. I'm having brain fog at the moment. I may have something really good around the house I can donate to a student. Email me if you can't find something.
I would look around for something right in the middle. A tip opening around 1.05 to 1.07mm's. Forget about the names. Look for thinner rails. This allows reeds to vibrate freer. A problem he may be having. Thick rails sound good sometimes, but cause all sorts of projection and resistance problems. Hope all of this helps.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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