Guilmant Morceau Symphonique Tips

[toneovertune]

Is there any particular tips for Guilmant Morceau Symphonique, I play a large bore tenor and sometimes struggle with the high c sharp. Maybe some phrasing tips and spots to breathe in general specifically from m 109 to the end as I will be using that as an audition. Other things I have noticed as hard are some arpeggio-type triplet lines, trill and the fast scales. Also I have only found two solo recordings so far that I like.

-SORRY IF I AM POSTING TOO MUCH I'M NEW
-I just want some advice

[bwilliams]

https://www.dwerden.com/music-videos/eu ... fm?vid=845

Euphonium, musically excellent.

If the c# is out of your range play the optional lower part.

[LetItSlide]

I say challenge yourself and build your chops so the high C sharp is no problem.

[harrisonreed]

You should do a lesson with someone to get tips on phrasing.

[Posaunus]

You should do a lesson with someone to get tips on phrasing.

Thanks for reminding us of the great artistry of these two wonderful trombonists!

[Doug Elliott]

I like to play a lot of the D's and F's in 4th, and Bb's in 5th, to take advantage of smaller slide motions and smoother connections between notes. Just in the first few phrases, after the 1st note in 1st you can stay pretty much 3rd to 5th and it sounds a lot smoother than going back and forth to 1st for the Bb's, D's, and F's. The E natural brings you back in.

Then later for the Eb scales, F in 6th and D in 4th make sense to me, to keep the slide moving the same direction instead of back and forth.

I'm sure there are many more examples but those immediately come to mind.

In most recordings you can hear what positions are being used, by the sound of the note connections. Decide for yourself what you like better. Whatever phrasing you decide on becomes a lot easier and more effective when you choose smooth slide motions.

[240z]

Alain Trudel also did I good rendition of this one... work up your chops and don't be tempted to use the F trigger use a "lip trill" at the end... work on your trills with a metronome so you can fill the trill space correctly with the trill

[Mamaposaune]

Practice those triplets at the end slowly at first, using 3-4-3 - 1-2-1 - 2-3-2 - 3-4-3 noting that the Eb-D-Eb will be slightly flat positions and the Gb-F-Gb will be slightly sharp positions, so the notes are well in tune. If you're struggling, practice them as quarter notes, just playing the 1st note of each triplet, then as triplets. My experience working with high schoolers on this piece for All-state auditions is that those triplets can sound sloppy and out of tune. Slow practice also ensures that the articulations and slide are well-coordinated.
And those ascending scales Eb, F, D, and the 1 1/2 octave Eb scale going up to Bb - make sure you can play them cleanly and in tune, even in your sleep!

[Enelson]

A question about Guilmant's alternative part to the high C# in the Morceau Symphonique.

Considering that this piece was written for the Paris Conservatoire's annual competition, was the lower part offered to make the part more accessible to younger players in general or might competitors at the time have opted to perform the lower part? (I'm a little curious if the higher part was expected of the competing students of the time.)

The image I will try to share in this post is from one of Guilmant's earliest published versions of the piece, illustrating that Guilmant offered the option from the beginning.



https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r0z66uo8 ... ujz8a&dl=0

Thanks for any input you might have. I confess, I love the pieces from this period, but am just starting to delve into the history and context.