THE LOW BRASS PLAYER’S

| jtmuellr@memphis.cdu |

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINSDecember 2009

“THE MORTAL SINS”

I. Bad Posture/Instrument Position• Low Brass Ergonomics: Instrument to player

• Finding and Maintaining the Neutral Position

II.Incorrect or Unnatural Breathing

• Keep it Natural

• Creating the Right Result- external focus

• Body Mapping

III. Misformed Embouchure

• Embouchure: the “Brass Players Bridge”

• Correct Formation of Embouchure

• Common Problems

The Midwest Clinic

Innocent Beginnings:“Jammin’ on the Front Porch”

John Mueller, DMA-University of Memphis

IV. Improper Air Speed• Airflow Vs. Mouthpiece Pressure

• Changing air speed with register

• Switching from High to Low Brass

V.Incorrect Mouth Formation

• Focus on the vowel

• Monitor Tension

VI. Improper Articulation

• Air & tongue stroke

• Controlling note shape

• The Beneficial Smear

VII.Bad Sound Concept

• Aural image

• Jazz & Orchestra Concept

“SECONDARY SINS”

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS PAGE2

(901)678-3780 jtmuellr@memphis.edu memphis.edu/music

“MARCHING BAND DILEMMA”

Presentation vs. Good Posture & Technique

• Tension: Nip it in the bud!

• Relaxation drills & posture resets

• DCI and your Low Brass

• Euphonium Quick fix: go “Old School”

Brass Performance and Pedagogy; Keith Johnson; Prentice Hall

The Breathing Gym; Sam Pilafian & Pat Sheridan; www.breathinggym.com

The Breathing Book; David Vining; Mountain Peak Music

A Complete Guide to Brass, Third Edition; Scott Whitener; Schirmer

Guide to the Euphonium Repertoire: The Euphonium Source Book (Indiana Repertoire Guides); Lloyd Bone, Eric Paull; R.Winston Morris, editior

Guide to the Tuba Repertoire, Second Edition: The New Tuba Source Book (Indiana Repertoire Guides); R. Winston Morris editor

Jazz Conception Series; Jim Snidero; various instruments; easy, intermediate, advanced; jimsnidero.com

Practical Hints on Playing the Baritone (Euphonium); Brian Bowman & James D. Ployhar; Alfred Publishing

The Remington Warm-ups; ed. Hunsberger, Accura Music

Song & Wind; Arnold Jacobs/Brian Fredrickson; Windsong Press

The Trombonists Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing and Teaching the Trombone; Reginald Fink; Accura Music

“RESOURCES”