Band

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:29 pm

For some strange reason, my tone always becomes worse after I play in band. Why is this so? When I play solo pieces, my embochure is a lot more loose and I'm able to reach high notes clearly. When I play band music, I feel my lips getting tighter and my high notes sound absolutely terrible in my opinion. And I also feel uncomfortable tuning with Bb instead of A (I normally tune on A when I practice alone).

Any tips?

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:24 pm

For some strange reason, my tone always becomes worse after I play in band. Why is this so? When I play solo pieces, my embochure is a lot more loose and I'm able to reach high notes clearly. When I play band music, I feel my lips getting tighter and my high notes sound absolutely terrible in my opinion. And I also feel uncomfortable tuning with Bb instead of A (I normally tune on A when I practice alone).

Any tips?

I can tell you one possible reason. When you are palying solo, you are concentrating on playing, and you do not have to compete with other instruments. When you play with a band, you are concentrating about playing to be heard. Another thing that is happening is you are able to hear yourself better when you play by yourself. When you play with a band, you will not be able to hear yourself as well, if you can hear yourself at all. Since I play with rock/blues/jazz groups, here is what I did to over come issues similar to yours.

1. Use ear plugs when you are playing with the band. This will help you to hear yourself.
2. If you have the resources, use a student model flute or headjoint. You will not get a lot of dynamics out of it, but you will easialy be able to play loud. This will work until you are able to get the volume you want out of the flute you play on most.
3. If you are going flat, and you can hear it, roll the headjoint out a little bit. Playing flat is a sure sign that you are blowing across the lipplate in the wrong position.
4. Practice long tones at many different volume levels constantly with a tuner. This is an ideal way to get use to hearing what "intune" is, and how to adjust when you are out of tune. This will also make you more comfortable playing anywhere on the flute.
5. When playing with a band, concentrate on the conductor/rhythm, the sound of your section, and playhing your part. One mistake some people make is listening to the band while they are playing. This is a big NONO!

Always remember, no matter how loud it gets, and how much you are not able to hear yourself, in most cases, you are being heard. Just keep at it until you can play relaxed and maintain control when you are playing with the band. Also get use to playing Bb as a tuning note. Most band instruments are Bb instruments, some are Eb instruments. Remember the a Bb instrument is a whole step(Maj Second Degree) over what you are playing. Concert Bb is C on a Trumpet, Clarinet, Tenor Sax, etc....... THis may be the reason why concert Bb is so popular as a band tuning note.

Hope this helps

Phineas

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:27 pm

Perhaps you are trying to play louder because you feel that you won't be heard over the louder volume level in band. If you force yourself to play too loudly, you may be distorting your embouchure.

Honeybee · Post by **Honeybee** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:04 am

hi. just wanna discuss something here. what is exactly bad about a tight embouchure?

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 6:20 am

In my opinion, the worst thing about a tight embouchure is lack of flexability which limits tone color and adjustments for intonation. I worked with a student last night who was terribly out of tune in the middle register because he was tightening up the embouchure too much and could not compensate for what he was hearing.

It can also restrict tone and can cause a less than desireable airy sound in some players.

The embouchure needs to be flexible with as little tension as possible. This is how I was taught many moons ago and how I teach now.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:22 am

Fluttiegurl made excellent points and they are all very important to consider, but aside from the negative impact a tight embouchure will have on your playing, it can lead to injury that could end your playing career. Keeping the muscles relaxed (but firm) will help ensure you never have to fight jaw problems, or risk focal dystonia or any number of other issues musicians are particularly susceptible to.