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Tone Centering for Trumpet

When you hear a C4 on the trumpet it were that simple! Having a better alexandertechnique.com/musicians.htm).
and compare it to the same note on understanding of overtones, resonance Make sure the passageway from lungs
the French horn there is an obvious and acoustics will give us a clearer to lips is unobstructed. (The glottal
difference in tone color even though picture of what we are looking for area and back of the tongue are major
the actual pitch is the same. This is in tone quality and a better idea of culprits here!) Keep the throat open as
because the shape and length of the how to accomplish this physically. if to yawn. Use an “OH” vowel shape.
trumpet tends to amplify the higher Catching a glimpse of the wonder The benefits of a large air column can
frequency overtones in the sound and mystery of sound is just a tiny be realized in many areas of playing,
while the larger bell, conical bore and part of appreciating the amazing gift both physical and aural. Sound is
length of the French horn favors the of music. vibration in the air around us. Moving
lower. The higher overtones dominant air energizes the embouchure causing
in the trumpet sound are perceived as Airflow and Embouchure the air molecules inside the trumpet to
“brighter” and the lower overtones in Next, we move on to the nuts and vibrate. The trumpet amplifies these
the horn make it sound “darker”. The bolts of producing a centered tone. vibrations and projects them outward
higher overtones in both instruments, Solid fundamentals are the essential causing the air around us to vibrate.
however, tend to be amplified as the building blocks of resonant sound A large, active airflow translates
volume level increases. (The fire gets beginning with air and embouchure. into a large, active sound with a full
hotter when we add more fuel). The complement of overtones. (See Tone
job of the brass player is to produce Airflow - The Fuel Supply Centering, page 27.) A constricted
a free and energetic air column and a First, the airflow fueling the airflow translates to a constricted
pure vibration frequency that aligns embouchure must be free and sound, lacking overtones essential for
with the air already vibrating in the energetic. Poor posture and tense resonance. Physically, this large, active
tubing of the instrument. It’s the same muscles cause shallow breathing and air column also helps the embouchure
principle at work when a microphone restricted air movement. Just like work more efficiently allowing for
and speaker produce feedback or clogged plumbing creates poor water reduced mouthpiece pressure and a
certain notes are louder than others pressure at the faucet, a tense airflow more relaxed setting. This in turn
while singing in the shower. If compromised by a constricted throat, enhances the vibration of the lips and
vibrations being produced align with closed teeth or improper tongue increases endurance.
vibrations already present in the air placement will adversely affect the
they combine and amplify each other. vibrating embouchure and impair Embouchure - The Vibration Motor
When we buzz into the trumpet the good tone quality. The brass player’s embouchure
instrument picks up these vibrations Begin with a full, deep breath and is a paradoxical phenomenon
and amplifies them providing its a posture that resembles standing. requiring careful training and
own characteristic tone color. If the Good posture keeps the body properly regular maintenance. An intricate
information being supplied (airflow aligned and balanced resulting in combination of tension and
and vibration frequency) fits the length relaxed muscles. (Many musicians suppleness, compression and flow are
and shape of the tubing receiving it, have benefited from the study of the required to create a resonant sound.
we have achieved what the instrument Alexander Technique to help with The most crucial area of the
was designed to produce—a beautiful, excess tension. Here is a great resource embouchure is the aperture – where
resonant, clear sound. Voila! If only for getting started: https://www. wind and flesh meet to produce

Bandmasters Review • June 2019 24 Texas Bandmasters Association