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Michael A. Harcrow |
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Home Events Studio MUTH Horn Stuff Bio |
¯Reminders for the Good Hornist (Mike’s Top 40!) Embouchure: 1) approximately 2-to-1 (or
3-to-1) ratio upper-to-lower lip 2) mouthpiece centered from
side to side 3) corners pulled in, “fangs”
pulled in 4) mouthpiece on same angle as
the bite (lips function as a lubricated
gasket between two hard surfaces) 5) lips must both vibrate with
raspy energy – like a bassoon reed Posture: 1) spine and neck upright but
not rigid – torso
and head same sitting as when standing 2) fingers curved and relaxed
(grip a squishy tomato!) 3) bring leg to horn (rather
than placing the horn on the
leg and adjusting your body to the horn) 4) arms ergonomically
supportive of the instrument (i.e.
at approximately 90° angle to each other) 5) why? good posture promotes
good airflow A proper Right Hand
position: 1) corrects the exaggerated
acoustics of the horn bell 2) affords the best tone
quality 3) allows pitch adjustment
when necessary 4) provides quick closure for
stopped passages 5) helps support the
instrument efficiently Air: 1) breathe athletically for
gutsy passages 2) yawn for subdued passages 3) keep airways unrestricted 4) sit heavy in your chair to stay relaxed 5) air is free – use LOTS of it! Upper range: 1) daily practice – stairstep
your way up 2) faster, cooler air 3) arched tongue 4) lowered gut 5) an extension of your good
midrange – sing, sing, sing! Lower range: 1) open teeth and lowered jaw,
but lips must still vibrate 2) slower, warmer air 3) tongue lower in the mouth 4) work your shift from both
directions 5) practice familiar etudes
down an octave in a controlled
“blastissimo” Musicianship: 1) write lyrics to your solos
and sing them (preferably alone in your room!) 2) make l o n g e r phrases than you think possible 3) have extreme dynamics (pp =
whisper; ff = SHOUT) available
and under your control but use sparingly 4) develop a wide palette of
articulations and tone colors 5) know when to blend, when to
slice, and when to soar Instrument: 1) clean inside and out…but
especially inside (no jungle!) 2) oiled valves 3) greased slides 4) minimize (or altogether
eliminate) dents!!! You’ll be more
accurate! 5) use a good all-around
mouthpiece, clean and not beat up Michael A. Harcrow, |