Daily Practice Tip-Developing Quiet Playing

We focus so often on the power and volume potential of brass instruments that we can forget the beauty (and sometimes necessity!) of being able to play softly! In this video I give a few tips on developing your soft dynamic control and sound; take a listen and let us know what you think!

[@williamraleigh7546]

Thank you for this. Last night I got to watch a brass band perform and have the honor of performing after them. While the first performers were college level and we were merely high school level, the difference in dynamics was stark. They had beautiful pianissimos whereas I had trouble getting a note to respond at piano. That group inspired me, and I want to work on my dynamics more. This video is going to help so much (partially because of the exercises you pointed out, but also because of the points you make about air-points that appear to be some of my own weaknesses. Your mentioning of slow air for quiet notes was also incredibly insightful).

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I’m glad it resonated with you; thanks for the kind words.

[@xdoge_x]

thank you! I'm very new to trombone so this is a great thing to add to my practice sessions.

[@randyknisely8979]

I really enjoy your tips (lessons) they are inspiring and keep me wanting to improve, been playing trombone for over sixty years, thanks!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thank you for watching! I’ve only been playing for 25 years and I always feel like I have a long way to to go! That’s the joy of music; there’s always more to learn!

[@jacksonrol6630]

OMG this helped me soooo much I can now play quietly

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Glad we could help!

[@jean-pierredevent970]

I heard an old English brass band recording and it was so sweet and gentle, a bit in the Salvation Army style. Now modern brass bands seem physically unable to play that soft and I wondered if perhaps the trombone (other low brass too? ) in those old brass bands was not different, perhaps very small bore...

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I am not an expert in the brass band world but in general we do know that brass instruments have increased size, in particular bore size, over the past 100+ years. Along with that playing styles and overall sound concepts have certainly evolved as well (and I would even say that the differences in recording technology may play a role in this perception…)

[@Aruesx]

I find myself struggling with Tone, Range, and Stamina. Whenever I ask anyone, they just recommend I improve on Tone, Range, or Stamina. Do you have any exercises or warmups I could do to help? Playing on 5 years as a step up

[@ClearlyNotNick]

Long tones - they suck to do but bring the best results. Start with a lower Bb (Bb 2) and work your up. Hold the note out for 4 beats on 60 bps, breath in for 1 beat (GOOD BREATH SUPPORT) and repeat. If you aren’t used to doing long breathes with deep breathing, be careful because being light headed can happen. Range can also be intertwined with Long Tones - just go up the scale. With the higher range make sure not to be tense and use fast air as you go into the upper tessitura (aka upper range). Be careful about being tense - that’s the exact opposite of what you want. Relax, deep breathes, and hold them notes out. Other exercises can be done too such as arpeggios and scales. Do scales. Everyday. Beat them into your mind. Major, minor, harmonic, and melodic (harmonic and melodic are advanced scale types to some, so master major and minor first - those are the most important for your building blocks). Stamina comes with time. Your endurance builds the more you play and guess what helps a lot with endurance? Yep. Long tones. Do them everyday. Every note that’s comfortable for you. Tips to get really good? First - a great private teacher will take you places. Look into hiring somebody with experience and who has a good background. Many teachers have different teaching methods so be mindful - there are a plethora of techniques all across the world and many teachers have their own quirks. Find somebody who works for you. They’ll be able to nitpick in areas that you didn’t know you needed fixing. Next, Arbans Method Book for Trombone is a FANTASTIC methods book (Alessi Edition or the regular edition will work as well, it’s around $30). The Trombone bible. Learn this book. It has been used by many students, me included. There are a LOT of different tips and tricks when it comes to trombone - don’t do too many at the same time otherwise you’ll overload and just develop bad habits. Focus on breathing correctly and making a good sound. Listen to other trombonists and emulate their sound. Make it yours. This was long winded lol. If anybody else has any other tips feel free. There’s loads to be said.

[@trombonenate9779]

@@ClearlyNotNick thanks for the advice 👍👍

[@ali_emre_kayhan]

Nice one Keith. Cheers.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thank you for watching!

[@petrodimetro]

new routine thank you.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@davidbucher4095]

I practice the second partial (Bb down to low E) at low volume, trying for a good sound.

[@Celeste_51]

Thanks this was so helpful!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jg2977]

What model horn is that? That’s an interesting looking valve wrap.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

This is one of our Lake City TB415 large bore tenors; I have been working (with a lot of input from great players and educators) on our Lake City trombone and (and 4-valve compensating euphonium) on developing a great-playing instrument that is also accessible (and just overall a great value!) The wrap is very much European-inspired and provides what I find to be a very balanced blow (given some of the newer wrap designs from a few makers lately I would say we were maybe a bit ahead of the game ;)

[@jg2977]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop thanks for letting me know! I sensed that it was something European. It looks somewhat like the Adams valve wrap. Would love to try that kind of valve someday.

[@skulldar]

I've been struggling playing quiet because it always starts to sound slightly raspy and pinched

[@maggiepeluso312]

Thanks great trips