30 Guided Practice Lesson 4.1
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- recognize similarities in embouchure, air usage, and fingerings between previously studied brass instruments and the new instrument
- demonstrate the proper embouchure and posture to create a characteristic tone on their instrument
- move freely between notes in a range of a perfect fifth with an emphasis on full air support and consistency of tone
Materials
- Instrument
- Metronome
- Tuner
Activities
- Mouthpiece Long Tones. Start to form a relaxed embouchure by saying “Hmmm…” just until the moment that the lips touch. Take a breath and buzz a comfortable pitch for 4 counts. Make sure that there is no tension in the center of the embouchure and that breathing is smooth and continuous. Repeat 4 times.
- Instrument Long Tones. Play a comfortable open pitch (Concert Bb or F for trumpet/trombone/euphonium/tuba or F or A for horn) for 4 counts. Listen for a clear legato attack, continuous sustain, and relaxed release. Repeat 4 times, resting between each time.
- Lip bends. Play a concert F (or concert C for horn) for 2 counts, bend the pitch half a step down over 2 counts, bend the pitch back up over 2 counts, and play the starting pitch for 2 counts. Keep the air moving through the note, allowing air to slow down slightly by opening the oral cavity to lower the pitch up to a half step.
- Broken Remington. When playing through the Remington series, focus on returning solidly back to your starting note with good tone. Make sure that you are slurring between notes. Trombones, make sure to use “luu” tonguing to allow the slide movement to be disguised.
- Legato Articulation. Play over the first five notes of the Bb Major scale. Keep every note fully voiced with as little disruption between notes as possible. Pay attention to the sound of the tongued articulation to ensure it is interrupting, not stopping, the air stream.
