Horn tone
Forming a Horn Embouchure
You may have played trumpet for a while, or perhaps you are starting out on the horn as your first instrument. Regardless, the following information from the American Band College book, Embou-chure, should help you in getting a good sound:
Below are some examples of mouthpiece placement with and without the mouthpiece on the horn.
You may have played trumpet for a while, or perhaps you are starting out on the horn as your first instrument. Regardless, the following information from the American Band College book, Embou-chure, should help you in getting a good sound:
- Start by vigorously saying the syllable, "DIM" or "EM" several times. Feel how the corners of your mouth get firm? That's what you're after!
- Next, let out a sudden puff of air on the syllable, "PEH."
- Put these two together and repeat the previous two steps several times. The "DIM-PEH" combination will give you a good basic embouchure.
- Take your mouthpiece and place it with a slightly downward angle on your lips, using about 2/3 upper lip and 1/3 bottom lip. The mouthpiece rim should just coming over the upper lip line.
- Take a deep breath, go through the "DIM-PEH" steps to make a buzzing sound with your mouthpiece. It is important to remember that this buzz should happen naturally using the above steps. Don't worry about trying to buzz with just your lips and no mouthpiece.
Below are some examples of mouthpiece placement with and without the mouthpiece on the horn.
Tonguing
Tonguing on the horn is similar to that of a trumpet, but a little thicker. Try saying "DU" to start notes.
Playing Your First Note
The initial horn notes are closer together than those of the trumpet, so be patient as you try to play the correct pitches. Listen to this example of a concert C played on the French horn. Now, take a deep breath, then try to match it on your horn using the "DIM-PEH" steps.
Tonguing on the horn is similar to that of a trumpet, but a little thicker. Try saying "DU" to start notes.
Playing Your First Note
The initial horn notes are closer together than those of the trumpet, so be patient as you try to play the correct pitches. Listen to this example of a concert C played on the French horn. Now, take a deep breath, then try to match it on your horn using the "DIM-PEH" steps.
How did you do? If you were able to match the pitch, congratulations! If not, keep working at it for a few minutes and you will probably get it. Once you do, ask yourself how the tone sounded. Was it warm and open? Thin and pinched? Airy? Be patient with yourself and keep working for a beautiful sound. Below are some common sound problems and ways to fix them. Again, these were taken directly from the Embou-Sure book. The examples of these tone problems are on the right.
1. You did not have a good sound, but heard a lot of air as you played.
Problems: Your lips are too far apart, and possibly dry. You are not using enough air to make your lips vibrate. Solutions: Reform the "EM" embouchure, being sure your lips aren't puckering. Review the breathing exercises we went over earlier. Lick your lips and the inside of the mouthpiece, take a deep breath and try again. 2. Your tone sounded thin and pinched. Problems: Your throat is tight and closed. Your lips are too tightly placed together. Solutions: Review breathing exercises and try yawning to relax your throat. Reform the "EM" embouchure, but don't have your lips quite so tightly pursed. 3. Your tone is very restricted. Problems: You are probably putting too much pressure on your lips from your mouthpiece. Your throat is very tight and your lips are probably even tighter than in #2. Solutions: Relax your grip on the horn, and do not push the mouthpiece onto your lips. Review breathing exercises and try yawning with your head up. Reform "EM" embouchure, but de-emphasize the pursing of your lips. |
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