By: Stanley

Stanley — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 20:09:52 +0000

Karl–great comments! I’m really humbled that another member of the brass family would read my blog. Thanks.
Interestingly, I had forgotten re-number this list to be #16-20 (because this is part of a series of “rules” over four posts), but now, since you commented on them with these numbers, I think I’ll keep the numbers as they are.

By: Karl Hovey

Karl Hovey — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 18:49:52 +0000

Have to get personal about these.
Re: #1, as a tuba player this is a non-issue due to the size of the mouthpiece. It’s also why tuba players have less MP placement issues and less need for dramatic embouchure changes: there’s only so much you can move around that big hunk of metal. (I’ve only had to change one students embouchure in 40 years of teaching, and that was because he came to me buzzing his upper lip … and his tongue. Had his lower lip pinned by the MP rim. Truth.)
Re: #2 I don’t think I, or any pro, could keep a job playing 70% of great. Yet I certainly feel pressure in some, especially solo performance, situations. And I’ve never heard Stan sound less than awesome … ever!
Re: #3 I have never been able (as a tuba player) to afford the equipment chase. I have bought 2 tubas in my career, and I still own/play them. I found the MP that made the best sound on each of them, and I still play the same MPs today. YMMV, but I always bring my current horn/MP with me when I go to a trade show/conference. This seems to make the “Honeymoon” with new equipment last about 30 minutes before I discover that what I current have is not worth losing/replacing.
Re: #4 Classic. It’s funny: it’s better NOT to think about HOW, but to focus on what you want to sound like.
Re; #5 Absolute Truth. And sometimes Reality sucks …

Comments on: Rules of trumpeting, part the fourth

By: Stanley

By: Karl Hovey