alexfun
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| Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:19 pm Rectifying Tone Production |
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Since the exchange with SK, i have re-confirmed some technical aspects that we need to improve in order to play better and more comfortable-to-listen music.
1. Natural tone production
Yesterday when i exchanged comments with the SK Advisor, he told me that our band's tone is very hard, too harsh, does not sound natural in feeling. And he became the 4th person who told me about this since the last these few years.
Back in last 2 years when some MPO musicians come to BK to give us masterclass, Kevin Thompson (Section Principal, Trombone) taught us trombonist that playing wind instrument, it is important that we shall use more air than tongue to start an attack on a tone. Reason is because when we are too depending on our tongue for an attack, our tone will sound more jagged. In contrary, when we deploy more AIR PRESSURE rather much tongue power, our tone will become more natural. When accent, we simply need to play the note CLEARER by deploying a little more tongue back to the attack, instead of giving a punch in the face.
In order to improve our band tone, this is vital. The fact is that most of us have been tongue-dependent. We need to rectified incorrect concept and start to use more air than tongue in tonguing. Here, i urge all PP to take this tone production seriously and review your own, then set a good example and rectify this in your respective section. I will share on the tonguing concept in the rehearsals, however, I need all PP to enforce this change among our musicians.
2. 16-beat Cresendo - Breathe - 16-beat Diminuendo.
I find this particular exercise very useful in training ourselves in air pressure and dynamic control and tonal balancing. The balance triangle is to be maintained throughout the gradual dynamic change. We will adopt this exercise to our use. Please also practise this in your sections.
FYI, one of the purpose of 2 Band system is to revive our discipline in basics where introduction of exercises may occur. The 1st 3 months is to focus more on basics (TIPPS, harmony, tone quality), then the latter 3 months we will do more focus in songs. Please make use of the song for strengthening your sections's basics in balancing (triangle), blending, other basics. Those who in Band 1 please explore among yourself new techniques like different tone colors and vibrato playing.
Again, may i remind you. Daily practice is neither an option nor a question, it is a practical part of our mission. The discipline of daily practice shall not be compromised. Make it a habit like doing gongyo. Make a motto "Do not miss gongyo, do not miss practice". Please do your part. Happy practising...
by ALEX FUN. |
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