OMEA Trumpet Video #3 1

Ontario Music Educators' Association

23 Sept 202003:24

Summary

TLDRThis instructional video focuses on breathing, tonguing, and articulation techniques essential for producing a clear sound while playing a wind instrument. It emphasizes the importance of proper posture and air support, guiding players to breathe deeply by filling their lungs entirely, using the stomach area to control the airflow. The video also highlights the role of the tongue in sound production, demonstrating tonguing techniques like 'tah' or 'da.' The practice session includes playing quarter notes at various tempos, encouraging viewers to maintain control and adjust their breathing while playing.

Takeaways

💨 Proper breathing and tonguing, also known as articulation, are essential for making a good, clear sound.
🧘‍♂️ Good posture and air support are fundamental. Ensure that you are filling every inch of your lungs, down to the bottom.
🎈 Your stomach area should expand like you're filling a balloon when you breathe in, not your shoulders.
🏋️‍♂️ Control your air when exhaling; don’t release it all at once. Controlled breathing helps sustain sound.
👅 The tongue releases the sound by touching the roof of the mouth at the points where you say 'tah', 'toe', 'da', or 'do'.
🎶 Practice playing four quarter notes together, pressing down valves one and two.
⏳ Fill your lungs deeply from bottom to top as you prepare to play, maintaining controlled breathing.
👄 Breathe through the corners of your mouth, not lifting your shoulders.
🎵 Adjust your tempo according to the instructor's count to practice maintaining different rhythms.
👍 Keep practicing quarter notes and quarter rests at various tempos to improve your articulation and breath control.

Q & A

What is the key factor in producing a clear sound when playing an instrument?
-A good clear sound depends on posture and proper breathing, specifically focusing on air support.
How should one breathe to ensure proper air support?
-You should fill every inch of your lungs, including the lower part near your stomach, which should expand like filling a balloon.
What should your shoulders do when you breathe correctly?
-Your shoulders should not rise. Instead, your stomach area should expand and contract as you breathe in and out.
How does proper breathing help in controlling the airflow when playing?
-Proper breathing helps in controlling the air, ensuring that it is not released all at once but in a steady, controlled manner.
Where should the tongue be positioned to release sound?
-The tongue should touch the roof of the mouth at the point where you would say 'tah,' 'toe,' 'da,' or 'do.'
What specific instructions were given before playing the quarter notes?
-The instructor gave a four quarter-note count-in, instructed to press valves one and two down, and encouraged deep breathing throughout the exercise.
What was the tempo change introduced during the practice session?
-The tempo was made slower during the practice session, and students were asked to listen carefully and adjust accordingly.
What breathing technique is recommended when playing quarter notes?
-The recommended technique is to breathe deeply from the corners of your mouth, ensuring continuous air support while playing.
How should one practice to improve playing at different tempos?
-The instructor encourages practicing at various tempos and listening carefully to match the tempo changes during the session.
What final encouragement did the instructor offer at the end of the session?
-The instructor praised the students for doing great and motivated them to keep practicing, emphasizing that it will be a great practice session.

Outlines

00:00

💨 Proper Breathing for Clear Sound

The first paragraph discusses the importance of breathing and tonguing (articulation) in creating a clear sound when playing an instrument. It emphasizes proper posture and air support, suggesting that players think of filling their entire lungs, with their stomach expanding like a balloon as they breathe in. The shoulders should remain still, and the air should be controlled upon exhaling for smooth play.

🎵 Controlling Air and Articulation

This paragraph explains the role of the tongue in sound production. The tongue should touch the roof of the mouth, where sounds like 'tah,' 'toe,' 'da,' or 'do' are produced. The instructor gives a count-in for practicing four quarter notes with the first and second valves pressed, focusing on deep breathing and controlled air release while playing.

🕰️ Adjusting Tempo for Better Practice

The final paragraph provides instructions for practicing at different tempos, with emphasis on following the instructor's timing. The pace starts slower, and the player is encouraged to match it while continuing to focus on controlled breathing and articulation. The instructor motivates the player to keep practicing and perfecting their quarter notes and rests at various tempos.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Breathing

Breathing refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling air, which is essential for producing sound when playing wind instruments. The video emphasizes the importance of controlled breathing to maintain air support and produce clear sound, suggesting visualizing the lungs filling like a balloon to optimize air intake.

💡Articulation

Articulation, also known as tonguing, involves using the tongue to create distinct notes by interrupting the airflow. The script discusses articulation techniques, such as touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth when saying 'tah' or 'da', which helps in producing clear and precise sounds when playing.

💡Air Support

Air support is the ability to control and maintain a steady airflow while playing an instrument. It is crucial for sustaining notes and ensuring a strong, consistent tone. The video stresses filling the lungs completely and controlling the exhalation to avoid releasing all the air at once, allowing for better control of sound.

💡Posture

Posture refers to the way one positions their body while playing an instrument. Proper posture is essential for effective breathing and sound production. The script highlights the need for good posture to facilitate air support, reminding players to maintain correct body alignment regularly.

💡Tonguing

Tonguing is the technique of using the tongue to start and stop notes on wind instruments. In the script, it is described as touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth to create specific sounds, such as 'tah' or 'do', which helps articulate notes cleanly during performance.

💡Valve

Valves are mechanical components on brass instruments like trumpets that change the pitch by altering the air path. In the video, the player is instructed to press the first and second valves down to play specific notes, demonstrating how valve combinations affect sound production.

💡Quarter Notes

Quarter notes are a type of musical note that represents one beat in common time. The script involves playing and counting quarter notes, emphasizing rhythm and timing as the player is guided through a practice session to maintain consistent tempo and articulation.

💡Tempo

Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece of music is played. The script includes variations in tempo, encouraging the player to match the changing speeds. This teaches adaptability in playing, highlighting the importance of maintaining rhythm while adjusting to different tempos.

💡Hula Hoop Visualization

The hula hoop visualization is a technique used in the script to help players understand how to breathe effectively. By imagining a hula hoop around their waist, players are encouraged to fill their entire lung capacity evenly, enhancing air support and overall sound control.

💡Controlled Exhalation

Controlled exhalation is the practice of releasing air gradually rather than all at once. This is crucial for maintaining sound consistency and duration while playing an instrument. The script emphasizes this concept, reminding players to keep air flow steady and managed throughout each note.

Highlights

articulation

making a good clear sound depends on

your posture and proper breathing

we have dealt with posture but we all

air support is essential when you

you're filling a balloon

imagine that you have a hula hoop around

we want to fill the entire hula hoop

your shoulders should not rise when you

area extends like a balloon

tongue is used to release the sound

the tongue touches the roof of the mouth

or toe or da or do i'm going to count

count in

quarter notes together

good now remember we must breathe deeply

top as i count to four

breathe deeply as we count through

excellent keep trying quarter notes and

practice session for you