Lessons From An Audition: AIR

[@GamerTime_2002]

Brass is always such a finicky instrument, no matter how much somebody is able to explain it at the end of the day you have to figure out how your body works and cooperation with the instrument. I like how you highlighted that it's always an ongoing process

[@bengarcia90]

Heck yeah 🌬️ good on ya for taking tenor auditions! I will likely be doing the same in the spring!

[@Dadventures1190]

I love epiphanies! Those times when some boundary you’ve been brushing up against… falls and a new world of possibilities opens up. Woohoo! 🎉

[@keithgray6920]

Thank you, Aidan! I haven't played regularly since April 2020, two weeks before our spring concert (KSU - Stark Concert Band). But I just bought a Bach trombone (LT42AFG) and am starting to get back at it. I was looking at the 42AF until you recommended the 42AFG in one of your videos. My trombone has the lightweight nickel slide, which you don't like. I previously played a vintage late 70's King 4BF and like the look and feel of a nickel slide. Wish me luck getting back in shape.

[@dahVEEDBBone]

Maestro, thank you!

[@philliprios8447]

I experienced tired abs for the first time while preparing for the Stuttgart audition! It's an interesting feeling. There were some lovely things being learned during the last few months.

[@Finetales]

🌬

[@chrismarbrey9678]

Learning how to play using air instead of always relying on my face, helped me to be able to get a warmer more round sound in the lower register on like a Bach 36 versus having to use a 42 with a larger bore and just as important shank to get that sound.

[@blesstoad]

I have a major audition tomorrow, so thank you!!

[@Overlycomplicatedswede]

In this last months I took an audition aswell, made it to the 2nd to last round and unfortunately got cut. Got ALOT great critique on my playing and how i can get farther next time. Even though I didn’t win it I’m glad as heck I’m tried.

[@AidanRitchie]

Congrats on getting that far!!

[@WyGuyW]

Hello, what grip are you using? And would you recommend it for a bass trombone?

[@AidanRitchie]

On this horn and one of my basses, Leather Specialties strap

[@WyGuyW]

@ would you recommend it over the Yamaha strap similar to it?

[@AidanRitchie]

@WyGuyW yup

[@TheSamuelBauter]

What tenor is that? What a cool bell! Not playing the Y-fort due to playing a lower part?

[@TheSamuelBauter]

Ah its the bach 42R greenhoe, it looks awesome.

[@DustyBones-l4d]

Tommy Dorsey would tell his guys to “blow air” to keep in shape while touring/traveling.

[@BassboneNelson]

The embouchure thing has always been super weird. For the most part I make the correlation to talking, I don't think about what vowel shape I am making while I tatryntoI try to minimize the emborchure work. Of course its different for me who isnt a full time professional, but we all know some pros who dont have an "ideal" emborchure. None of us talk the same way so none of us play the same way. Its a concept I am working on, but of course being efficient with air is just better than trying to be "perfect" at everything

[@BrassBro-Science-ys7sg]

Air is not the problem. The vowel posture is related to the lip posture . The oral cavity does not make the air flow faster through the lip aperture.

[@AidanRitchie]

well, the results speak for themselves

[@dMGraymusic]

Best thing you can do before a gig is have a walk. Get out of that stuffy dressing room or venue and clear yourself out. It makes a world of difference to how you use your air. The most dramatic change I'd noticed was when I was bored enough on a weekend away to keep going swimming. I was the most cut and toned I've probably ever been and my ability to blow really loud notes and prance around on a silly oompah gig was riduclous. I didn't get tired for a single moment in two hours.

[@AidanRitchie]

Yup, being in good physical shape makes a big difference

[@mondotrombo7167]

Shot you a "lesson" email.

[@M4tth3wC]

what’s the counterweight you got on there?

[@AidanRitchie]

Trombilizer