Improve Tone Quality on a Brass Instrument

Many brass players stagnate after their first few years of playing. Here are some tips that will help brass players in particular, and sometimes even woodwind players improve the quality of their music. Some terms may be confusing to newer players. Don't give up. There are many music dictionaries available for free online.

Steps

  1. Warm up properly. This helps more than anything.
  2. Start with a breathing exercise. One that is strong enough to impact your abs is the best. The exercise should include:
    • some inhale 4 counts
    • hold for 4
    • out for 4. At 80 or 120 bpm (beats per minute).
  3. Go down to 3 and 2 in the same pattern. At one, do an inhale of one count and exhale for one count, for a good 40 counts. This will hurt a little.
  4. Buzz (play) on your mouthpiece while it`s not in the instrument.
  5. Start playing long tones, at a slow tempo, like 80 or 120. Long tones means a single note for 8 counts at a solid mouth force, no blasting or wimpy playing.
  6. Perform a tongue exercise, at 130 or so a single octave scale is good. (You can make your own warm-up for this.) This is good for fingers and slides too.
  7. Without tonguing, change partials. An example of a partial is changing from a concert F scale to a concert B-flat scale. Do this - make one up (include mostly one partial at a time jumps, but stick in the occasional two partial jump and try to hit the correct note without the intermediate partial.
  8. When you play, use a lot of air. Not only will this improve the tone quality, but it will also enable you to play a note for a longer period of time.

Tips

  • Play with the intention of always improving. Never go through the motions. Always learn something.
  • Record yourself playing, and listen for things done wrong or things that you liked. (This is the hardest thing to do as a musician, because you have to admit that it doesn't satisfy you yet. You're not a pro yet, or you're not perfect if you are a pro.)
  • For the breathing exercise a small piece of PVC is good to breathe through, but this is more likely to cause lightheadedness. An AirMax breather is a good product to use, but costs about 13 bucks.
  • Tip of the tongue to the top of the teeth when articulating. (Just as your gums meet your teeth is a good spot.)
  • Never clench your teeth while you play. No air can get out and your tone suffers.
  • Play as if you have a tennis ball in your throat, hence open throat. With an open throat it is much easier to gain a solid tone quality. Warm air through the instrument.
  • There is no secret formula for playing well (the above is only a good start to creating a personal warm-up that you enjoy). The trick is to honestly working to improve. Making notes of what you think you do well or not and then working on them both is a great help.
  • Watch yourself play in a mirror. Ask yourself, "What does my mouth do when I change notes and partials?" You should see a tiny bit of movement if you have a solid embouchure.
  • Cleaning can help to improve the sound quality. This also prevents any build-up of germs.
  • Sit or stand up straight while playing the instrument.
  • Stay consistent and motivated. The practice will pay off and you'll get better and better.

Warnings

  • During a breathing exercise stop and sit down if you feel that you are going to pass out, because you will.

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