XtremeBrass Techniques
Posted in Brass on May 29th, 2009
By Wayne Downey
Embouchure/Aperture
A) Position of Jaw & Corners – Vertical alignment of teeth
B) Mouthpiece placement – Dento facial features
C) Mouthpiece pressure – Evenness of pressure on upper & lower lip
D) Shape of aperture – Oval, shaped by facial muscles
E) Size of aperture – Varies as to register, controlled by the position of the jaw, corners & facial muscle pressure, frequency of vibration
F) Location of aperture – Inside cup of mouthpiece, controlled by position of jaw & corners
G) Direction of Air Stream – Aperture laser beams air column down center of throat of mouthpiece, aperture should glide up & down air column
Air Speed & Pressure
A) Oral Cavity Shape – Roof of mouth, tongue, throat
B) Shape of Tongue – Height of tongue controls air speed, compression of air & directs air column to aperture
C) Air Temperature – Warm vs. Cold, throat constriction
D) Diaphragm – Involuntary, voluntary muscle
E) Lower Abdominals- Control air pressure
Hand Pressure and Shape
A) Hand Shape – See the “C”
B) Point of Contact of Finger – Not the tip nor the pad but the fulcrum, no flying fingers
C) Finger Pressure – 200lbs, or as much as you can exert w/o creating constriction or tightness
D) Left Hand – Controls hand pressure & mouthpiece pressure on face
E) Right Hand – Free of constriction, pinky is not octave key
F) Hand Pressure – Varies as to register
