33 Guided Practice Lesson 4.4

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• control both pitch and tone with consistency from attack to release
• smoothly move between partials of the instrument
• utilize a variety of articulations with attention given to the attack, sustain, and release of each note

Materials

• Instrument
• Metronome
• Tuner

Activities

1. Mouthpiece Sirens Start on a comfortable pitch in the lower register. Glissando up and back to that original pitch in one breath. Focus on consistent tone and smooth pitch transitions without interruption. Repeat 4 times.
2. Pitch Bending. Using an open partial, hold a pitch for 2 counts, bend it a half step down (without slide or valve adjustment) over 2 counts,  bend it back up to the original pitch over 2 counts, and hold the original note for 2 counts. Repeat 4 times. Focus on maintaining tone quality while bending the note and ensuring stability on the note once it is returned to with open, relaxed embouchure.
3. Lip Slur 3 Focus on producing a smooth, consistent tone and a stable pitch on both partials. Focus on moving between partials using Eeee (high), Ahhh (middle), and Oooo (low) vowels.
4. Dexterity Exercise #1 Play through each of the keys of this exercise at a tempo with which you are comfortable. Change articulation with each of the keys to practice legato, staccato, slur, and accent. Make sure that full tone is supported throughout the legato, slur, and accent. Be aware of the tendency to over accent the attack, causing tone to be distorted. On trombone, make sure to use a “lu” articulation when slurring so that slide movement is not heard.