Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
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Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
After playing piccolo trombone for a while, i got used to the mouthpiece and buzzing differently. However, i still needed to practice tenor trombone, which for whatever reason i hadnt played in a while. Whenever i play notes (specifically notes above F4), i have to change mr embouchure to allow air to flow correctly. However, when i make this change, i get a multiphonic like sound. Not as in horn growl, but almost like 2 out-of-tune trumpets trying to play louder than the other trumpet. Is there any way to adjust my embouchure, or some other change i could make to avoid this?
- harrisonreed
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
You should get a lesson
- Burgerbob
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
Sounds like a double buzz. Keep that lower lip firm!
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
Have a Skype lesson with DE
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- Burgerbob
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
For most players, the upper lip is doing the real buzzing while the lower lip is being buzzed on, like a single reed instrument.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
- harrisonreed
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
Yeah when you get a lip multiphonic, both lips are vibrating different pitches.
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
Thank you for this!!! I was practicing my solo and my A kept making strange buzzing sounds, which I later learned were multiphonics. I was paying zero attention to my lower lip whilst playing, so this really was a lifesaver.
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
Yes, a double-buzz often means that when a person who plays with more upper lip in the mouthpiece (Doug’s very high placement or high placement) doesn’t keep their lower lip firm enough, they can get that double-buzz. Sometimes, it can also be due to the mouthpiece placement being off, usually a little too low. For me, it was a combination of both.
I think that for people who play with more lower lip in the mouthpiece it’s just the opposite, but I’d check with Doug.
I think that for people who play with more lower lip in the mouthpiece it’s just the opposite, but I’d check with Doug.
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
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Re: Unwanted multiphonic on tenor
I'll concur that having your MP placement slip a bit will aggravate / cause double-buzz.
I was having this happen a lot in concert situations, later in the program as I got tired. The quick fix was to stop playing, remove horn from face, re-set, and proceed. A very small shift from where I would normally have the MP would trip me up. Also I found that going back to a bit smaller rim diameter gave less problems.
It's a hugely frustrating experience when you are stuck in it.
Also suggest you Google Donald S. Reinhardt "pivot system"
I was having this happen a lot in concert situations, later in the program as I got tired. The quick fix was to stop playing, remove horn from face, re-set, and proceed. A very small shift from where I would normally have the MP would trip me up. Also I found that going back to a bit smaller rim diameter gave less problems.
It's a hugely frustrating experience when you are stuck in it.
Also suggest you Google Donald S. Reinhardt "pivot system"
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