Wow... some interesting views in those articles... I'm reading now... some I like, some I question.
" Make no more than 3 attempts for the highest note. “Three Strikes And Out!”-CG
This can either start or end the practice routine, but you must rest 60 minutes after."
Hmm, maybe I'll apply this. I just did now, I only tried to hit above high E three times.
" Correct practice of Pedal Tones will help this develop."
But if only I could practice pedal tones correctly... do they need to be in tune? Is it the same embouchure as I use to play in my middle range?
" Alternate fingerings must be practiced to develop all fingers equally."
Umm... really? I've never heard that one.
" Blow stronger(crescendo) when ascending, lighter when descending. Only after proper development of strength should decrescendos on ascending notes be worked on."
And how do we know we're ready to move on to the ascending descrec.?
" “Aww” for lower notes, “Eee” in front area of tongue and
blow stronger for higher notes.
Every note has a specific level for the tongue."
I think this is vital... good advice.
" “The very tip of the tongue will naturally take a position back of the lower teeth. Never allow it to strike back of the upper teeth.” - Liberati
Incorrect tonguing results in more movement of the tongue and a disruption of the arched tongue’s air flow, thereby causing slow tonguing speed, inaccuracy and lack of ease in the high register."
Never? My tongue touches my upper teeth and I can still single tongue 16ths at around 130 BPM ... I would hardly call that "slow."
" The right hand of the French Horn supports the weight
and controls pitch and sound."
This I disagree with. How can the right hand manipulate pitch and tone while it is holding the weight of the horn? So this view here discourages the resting of the bell on the knee/leg? There is no way to have decent control of the sound unless the hand is free to move, contrary to holding the horn. In a standing position, maybe, but when sitting, I believe the hand should NOT support the weight of the horn, as I have seen in many professional players.
" “Stay away from mirrors!” - CG Never mind what you look like."
This one might ruffle a few feathers, but I see the point, and a good one it is.
I found a good few bits of advice in here, and I'm only on the second page. I will surely incorporate some of these into my practice sessions. It is a tremendous help seeing these "rules" laid out in front of me, as I don't have a private teacher to do that for me. Thank you for the links.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardener
Either this is a fundamental difference between the trumpet and the horn, or something else is different with me. On the horn I need more air the lower the note is. High notes require a good support from your body and higher tension, but since the lips are stiffer and narrower less air passes through. As long as my lips don't tire I can hold a very high note much longer than a very low note.
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Don't worry, I have the same deal, I don't know what it is, but low notes seem to blow very easily, it is almost like I need more air than I expect. Notes like high C, on the other hand, I can hold forever, just sitting there, it seems like I need hardly any air. Oh, and try not to
think "stiff."
Feb 20 2008, 7:15 PM
What?
Linear Mode
