TROMBONE-L Digest 1540 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: My first euphonium recordings on MP3... by Nick Drozdoff 2) Merry, Merry & Happy, Happy! by Sequoia Middle School 3) Re: Now that everybody is mad at someone... by David Buckley 4) Re: Hollywood Trombones Christmas Music. by David Buckley 5) Re: Hollywood Trombones Christmas Music. by David Buckley 6) RE: the music thread by "Daniel Pliskin" 7) Re: Now that everybody is mad at someone... by "Daniel Pliskin" 8) Re: Long Tone Practice by Don Wampler 9) Re: Lest we forget. by "Jeffrey Diehl" 10) link for historic mouthpiece information by richardt@LEE.ARMY.MIL 11) Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by "Hugo García Sampedro" 12) Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by "Christopher Smith" 13) Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by Bodie Pfost 14) King 3B by John Wessner 15) Holton tenor for sale by Joestanko@aol.com 16) Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by "Rodney Ellard" 17) Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by James Scott 18) Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by "Tom Izzo" 19) Re: Trombone euphemisms by "Tom Izzo" 20) Re: Trombone euphemisms by Atlbrvsnt@aol.com 21) Long Tone Addendum -- Funny Faces by Wayne Dyess 22) Re: Gig on December 31st night (Not trombone related but...) by Earl Needham 23) Re: O Holy Night by Dave Burch 24) Re: embouchure issue by Peter Collins & Sara Wilbur 25) Re: embouchure issue by Wayne Dyess 26) Signing off the list? Here's a trombone-L Survival Kit. by Wayne Dyess 27) Mute! by "Bryce McGrew" 28) Thankful for what I got... by Eric Burger From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 05:59:22 -0600 From: Nick Drozdoff To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Re: My first euphonium recordings on MP3... Message-ID: <38578298.7B4C60D2@interaccess.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have just posted my first recordings featuring my embryonic euphonium playing. Perhaps many of you might like these for the "joke" file! :-) When Joseph WAs A Walking - Ralph Vaugh Williams Features all conical instruments Pigs With Wings - N. Drozdoff Features funk euphonium?! (Apologies to purists - flame at will!) I really hope you like these a little bit. They are free. http://www.mp3.com/NickDrozdoff Thanks for your support. Nick Drozdoff From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 07:19:46 -0800 From: Sequoia Middle School To: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Merry, Merry & Happy, Happy! Message-ID: <3857B191.56D7D3A9@bcsd.k12.ca.us> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all, Just a quick reminder to those interested: The "Christmas" Bakersfield Bones meet to rehearse at Bakersfield High School, (16th & 'H', Bakersfield, Ca) this Saturday (18th), from 10:00 to 12:00 and perform in Harvey Aud. at 1:15 to 2:00 (ish). Contact Ron Christian at: (661) 834-8181 or , for more information. To all a most enjoyable season is wished and when I get back to this puter, or when I get my home pc working again I'll be talking again with you. Until then, TTFN All the best. Gary Maxwell Bass Trombone Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:18:46 -0500 From: David Buckley To: yeo@yeodoug.com Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Now that everybody is mad at someone... Message-ID: <3857B156.8168996D@sympatico.ca> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Once again Doug puts everything into perspective. Thanks and have a great Christmas. Dave. Douglas Yeo wrote: > I enjoy this list and have benefited from it immensely. It seems > that the pot is well stirred and plenty of folk are upset at this or > that issue, person, thing, thread, etc, so I'd like to wish you all a > very merry Christmas or, if you don't celebrate Christmas, then a > nice extra day off and if you don't get next Friday off, then I hope > something nice happens to you in the next few days. > > Life at home and work is heating up so it's time for me to > unsubscribe as I always do this time of year. I'll still be online > but spending much less time at the computer. > > Gonna spend some time with Indian Ragas, playing serpent, reading my > new book on Bach, PRACTICING TROMBONE and enjoying our family being > together for the rest of this month. > > See you all in January, and thanks for another year of learning and sharing. > > Everybody, take a deep breath...In...1, 2, 3...Out...1, 2, 3. I feel > better already. > > "Peace on earth, good will toward men" (women, too, and especially > trombone players.... seems like we need an extra dose of good will > these days). > > For some holiday cheer and some fun, tune into the Boston Pops TV > show which will appear on the A&E cable network over the next few > days, I believe December 18 and 24. We'll be taping a new show this > Thursday (for broadcast next year) with Take 6, my favorite singing > group (they don't even do Bach...). > > All the best, and HAPPY new year. > > Keep looking up... > > -Doug Yeo > ********************************************** > * Douglas Yeo * > * Bass Trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra * > * Music Director, The New England Brass Band * > * yeo@yeodoug.com * > * http://www.yeodoug.com * > * <>< * > ********************************************** > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:21:44 -0500 From: David Buckley To: jeanvaljean@ntsource.com Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Hollywood Trombones Christmas Music. Message-ID: <3857B208.8CB7568C@sympatico.ca> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thanks to all who replied to my request for info. Great list isn't it. Dave. From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:27:25 -0500 From: David Buckley To: dclason@nmsu.edu Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Hollywood Trombones Christmas Music. Message-ID: <3857B35D.8DBDF07C@sympatico.ca> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dennis Clason wrote: > Addressed to: davebuckley@sympatico.ca > trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu > > ** Reply to note from David Buckley 12/13/99 2:57pm -0500 > > > Shows you the taste of conductors. > > I prefer young conductor, flambe'd to about medium rare ... The old > ones are too tough to be useful for much. Some recommend stewing > or fricassee, but I don't like the extremely gamy taste. Some of > my friends like Young Conductor Tartare, but I think the risk of food > poisoning is way too high to enjoy that dish. Thanks for the tip for our Christmas menu. Dave. > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 08:13:26 PST From: "Daniel Pliskin" To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: RE: the music thread Message-ID: <19991215161326.78778.qmail@hotmail.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed > >>It seems to me obvious, for the > >>most part, what music is absolute crap, Music in the shape of a vodka bottle? Fascinating. DanP ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 08:25:43 PST From: "Daniel Pliskin" To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Now that everybody is mad at someone... Message-ID: <19991215162543.28658.qmail@hotmail.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Aw shucks, it was just beginning to remind me of home...New Yawk. DanP ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:30:41 -0600 From: Don Wampler To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Long Tone Practice Message-ID: <3857C231.31084FA3@americancentury.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bryce wrote: >How does "everyone" practice long tones? I'm just curious what methods are >being used, and want to try some others. > > Bryce McGrew > brycemc@jps.net Bryce, This post may be a little lengthy but I want to give you a full description here since the answer has personally helped my playing a lot recently. I did the Remington style long tones (aptly described here by other listers) for many years. They've always been extremely valuable in my opinion. I've tried to do these faithfully even when I haven't been able to do any other practicing or playing, and I always noticed when I missed them. After discovering the Online Trombone Journal, reading various list postings, and taking a private lesson with Sam Burtis, I've modified it in the past 6 months or so to incorporate buzzing, free-buzzing, and working the "break" areas of my embouchure. (These concepts are described thoroughly in the Online Trombone Journal's "Out of the Case" articles by Sabutin. I recommend reading them.) (One note here: I believe Sam's approach to buzzing has been extremely helpful to me. It may not be for everyone. He'll be the first to say that if it's not done correctly then it shouldn't be done at all and can do more harm than good. It's pretty easy to do correctly in my opinion though, and that's what I've tried to incorporate into my routine.) This new modified approach to long tones has improved my response, lessened my dependency on the horn (which allows me to double on an 88H and a Minick .500 bore without problems), cut down the time needed for adequate warm-up, and improved my consistency. (This, along with some range and flexibility exercises by Roy Main, has made me a new man - at least as far as the trombone goes!) Here's what I do..... I do the same Remington exercise as before but now I begin with middle F to E on the horn, back up to F to E-flat only this time on the mouthpiece alone (withdrawing the mouthpiece from the receiver after I start the F tone in the horn), and then F to D using a free-buzz (beginning the F on the mouthpiece and then removing it from the lips while sustaining the free buzz). Then I play F to D-flat back on the horn after beginning the F on a free buzz, putting the mouthpiece to the lips while sustaining the buzz, and then putting the mouthpiece back in the receiver, all the while sustaining the tone, being careful to line the horn up so that the mouthpiece goes straight back into the receiver without touching the sides. This puts your mouthpiece in the proper alignment and doesn't allow the weight of the horn or a habit of holding it at a wrong angle to dictate it's position on my lips. (Sometimes I get lazy and just start the F in the horn, though this shortcuts the benefit of realigning the horn position.) I do this throughout my long tone practice or warm-up and continually alternate between horn, mouthpiece, free-buzz, horn. This is rather awkward to describe but it's actually not complicated at all. I practice this just as I did the normal Remington long tones being extremely careful to listen to the intonation of my mouthpiece buzz and free-buzz, concentrating on air intake and outflow, and taking care to properly align the position of the horn. When doing a warm-up, I start on middle F to B-flat and go down, rest a minute, start on the B-flat above and go down, rest, then start on the B-flat below. When actually practicing, I will use this technique through the full extent of my upper and lower ranges. It takes quite a bit of time but it's been worth it for me. The other modification I've made is to take in a full breath and expend it all on each note. This is a deviation from playing the notes "in pairs" with one breath, but I feel it allows me personally to get additional benefit from each "long" tone. (It also helps me build endurance when I'm practicing these up high. Makes my lips feel like my biceps used to when I was trying to bulk up to impress my wife in college. :-) One note here: If I notice a tendency for my embouchure to feel a little weak or tired, I do twice as many notes on the horn as on the mouthpiece or free-buzzing. Sometimes I'll just do the Remington exercises the way I used to do them without any buzzing at all. I let my embouchure tell me what's right here and am careful to not overdo the buzzing. Lastly, I've recently begun to expand this to surround my embouchure "break points", and not always start in first position F or B-flat. I have a couple of definite turbulent areas in my embouchure that this technique is helping tame. (Again, read the "Out of the Case" article and this will make sense.) I know this was a lengthy post, but thanks for letting me share it. This may not be beneficial for everyone but it has proven to be extremely helpful for me. From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 11:25:43 -0500 From: "Jeffrey Diehl" To: , Subject: Re: Lest we forget. Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit >>> Wayne Dyess 12/14/99 07:08AM >>> >All this "music" talk of late... well, perhaps we ought to get back to da Trombone . . . The NERVE of some people . . . suggesting that the trombone-l be a sounding board for issues concerning the TROMBONE! This is meant in jest; for those who are humorless, please delete away. For those who revel in becoming angry at the drop of a hat, here is one for you: 2 trombones + 2 trombones = 4 trombones That ought to do it! Jeff Diehl From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 12:20:54 -0500 From: richardt@LEE.ARMY.MIL To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: link for historic mouthpiece information Message-ID: <21E592FA8BA7D311B5B100062B001FE2082E14@LEE2> Serendipity - means I found this on my lunch hour while browsing for something else (micropsia). This is an amazing resource for period mouthpiece players. (I mean the mouthpieces are period; period players are of course dead by now.) yours, tim richardson http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/uwrahmw.html From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 17:13:49 -0300 From: "Hugo García Sampedro" To: "Trombone-list" Subject: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: <01bf4738$e5efc560$12752bc8@workstation> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Really not trombone related but... Someone called me to play with a big band on a hotel party on December 31st 's night (from 11:30 PM to 2:00 AM). As the money is "good" I have accepted. Now I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their chops. Just curious! Cordially -Hugo From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 20:30:18 GMT From: "Christopher Smith" To: hgsamp@compudata.com.ar, trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: <19991215203018.39451.qmail@hotmail.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a >similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their >chops. >Just curious! +++++++++ For this list, a better question might be "how many people are NOT playing NYE?" Chris http://www.geocities.com/~christo ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 14:34:07 -0800 (PST) From: Bodie Pfost To: Hugo García Sampedro Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit I'm playing a gig on New Year's Eve. GOOD money, odd setting. As far as I know, it will be me on trombone playing with a jazz accordian. Who else has New Year's gigs? -- Bodie Pfost On Wed, 15 Dec 1999, Hugo García Sampedro wrote: > Hi > Really not trombone related but... > Someone called me to play with a big band on a hotel party on December 31st > 's night (from 11:30 PM to 2:00 AM). As the money is "good" I have > accepted. Now I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a > similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their > chops. > Just curious! > > Cordially > -Hugo > > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 17:49:06 -0500 From: John Wessner To: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: King 3B Message-ID: <38581AE2.F16B7823@towson.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A friend of mine has come into the possession of a King 3B with an f-attachment. This is for sale. It will need overhauled. If you are interested, please contact me off the list and I will put you in touch with him. On the list, I'd like to know what it's worth? John W. -- John Wessner, Chair Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences Towson University 410 830 2220 From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 17:55:35 EST From: Joestanko@aol.com To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Holton tenor for sale Message-ID: <0.459f20c1.25897667@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit For sale: Holton model TR-158; .547 bore, F attachment (not open wrap), screw bell, nickel slide with stock leadpipe (never removed). I don't think that this is not the Jay Friedman model. The serial number is 599315. The horn has been overhauled so the threads line up on the screw bell. Cosmetics okay, with lacquer discoloration and missing lacquer where some solder joints have been realigned. Comes with unique flat case for easy travel and storage. This is a nice responding, clear sounding horn. Asking price is $575 plus UPS shipping/insurance from NYC. Please email me privately if interested. Joe Stanko From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 15:18:03 -0800 From: "Rodney Ellard" To: , "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: <000601bf4752$a8aa80e0$5aee94d1@rod> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Wait, I heard this joke before. A restauranteur decides at the last second to hire entertainment for New Years Eve but, given the short notice, the best he can come up with is a trombone-accordion duo. Nevertheless, he hires them. The duo proves to be great. At the end of the gig, the restauranteur tells the musicians, "You were great. How would you like to play here next New Year's Eve?" The trombonist and accordion player look at each other and then tell the restaurant owner, "Sure. Is it okay to leave our stuff here?" Rod -----Original Message----- From: Bodie Pfost To: Trombones and related issues forum. Date: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 2:35 PM Subject: Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) >I'm playing a gig on New Year's Eve. GOOD money, odd setting. As far as >I know, it will be me on trombone playing with a jazz accordian. > >Who else has New Year's gigs? > >-- >Bodie Pfost > > >On Wed, 15 Dec 1999, Hugo Garc’a Sampedro wrote: > >> Hi >> Really not trombone related but... >> Someone called me to play with a big band on a hotel party on December 31st >> 's night (from 11:30 PM to 2:00 AM). As the money is "good" I have >> accepted. Now I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a >> similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their >> chops. >> Just curious! >> >> Cordially >> -Hugo >> >> > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 16:33:27 -0700 (MST) From: James Scott To: =?X-UNKNOWN?Q?Hugo_Garc=EDa_Sampedro?= Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=X-UNKNOWN Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hugo- Yes I have a New Year's Big Band gig - but also 2 rehearsals w/the orchestra that day, and a New Year's Day Viennese concert. Jim Scott On Wed, 15 Dec 1999, Hugo García Sampedro wrote: > > > Hi > Really not trombone related but... > Someone called me to play with a big band on a hotel party on December 31st > 's night (from 11:30 PM to 2:00 AM). As the money is "good" I have > accepted. Now I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a > similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their > chops. > Just curious! > > Cordially > -Hugo > > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 20:25:30 -0600 From: "Tom Izzo" To: , "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Gig on december 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: <004c01bf476c$d36c6680$1775dfd0@oemcomputer> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Interesting question, but.....how to answer...... > Hi > Really not trombone related but... > Someone called me to play with a big band on a hotel party on December 31st > 's night (from 11:30 PM to 2:00 AM). As the money is "good" I have > accepted. Now I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a > similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their > chops. Are you asking how many are playing as the year dawns? Most of your responses are from people who are playing as the year ends. NOW wait a minute, you say, most could be both yes? Not in my case apparently. My NYE gig is 8:30-11:30 (for a whole city's celebration--I'm told 50,000 will be in attendance--YIKES), there will be another band there, playing 12:30 to 3:30. So there you have it. Now do you think I'll be able to get out of there before the craziness starts on this Amateur night? Tom > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 20:58:11 -0600 From: "Tom Izzo" To: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: Trombone euphemisms Message-ID: <009101bf4771$644e68c0$1775dfd0@oemcomputer> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Trombone Euphemisms? Well, this one has actual fact & history behind it: The Paperclip (Trombone is French for Paperclip). The Slushpump (by the way Tim--the Accordian's euphemisms are Stomach Piano, & squeeze box) > All, > > According to my five year old I play "that bent piece of pipe that stretches." > That's good too. Tom > From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 22:02:11 EST From: Atlbrvsnt@aol.com To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Trombone euphemisms Message-ID: <0.57f4d382.2589b033@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Here's a non-verbal euphemism i remember a friend using when we were in first grade: The music teacher brought in instruments for us to all blow a note on every once in a while, and she walked in with a trombone case one day. Another boy in my class said, "I know what that is! It's the..." He then moved his right arm back and forth very rapidly :) ~Tommy From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 21:30:47 -0600 From: Wayne Dyess To: Trombone-L Subject: Long Tone Addendum -- Funny Faces Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" At 10:30 AM -0600 12/15/99, Don Wampler wrote: >The other modification I've made is to take in a full breath and expend >it all on each note. This is a deviation from playing the notes "in >pairs" with one breath, but I feel it allows me personally to get >additional benefit from each "long" tone. (It also helps me build >endurance when I'm practicing these up high. Makes my lips feel like my >biceps used to when I was trying to bulk up to impress my wife in >college. :-) Don made an excellent addition to the other posts regarding long tone practice. I especially enjoyed it. I have mentioned the benefits of buzzing (or free buzzing) many times before on this list. I'm sorry I didn't mention it in my previous long tone post recently. But I have an important addendum to add to this discussion that many will not have tried before... that's my bet, anyway. It is called "The Lion", and is considered to be a yoga facial exercise. Here, however, is where a picture is worth a thousand words. I wish I could insert pics here... so you'll just have to use your own visual imagery here (or go get a mirror and try them for yourself!). I read about this in our local newspaper, and the article was by Brent Snyder (Beaumont Enterprise, December 14, 1999). And I quote: "Enthusiasts of 'facial workouts' said the exercises are key to a youthful appearance and provide alternative to face-lifts and other cosmetic surgery procedures. Such workouts exercise facial muscles and stimulate blood circulation to prevent the sagging of tissues that add years to a person's face." Whoa right thar, podner! Are you a thankin' what ahm a thankin'??? Wouldn't this be a great boon for all us great puckerin' brass players? Ah thinks so! The article continues (and quotes Ria Lihs, a local yoga instructor and coordinator of the dance program at Lamar University): "In hatha yoga, for example, there are 40 different facial exercises, some colorfully named after animals, such as 'The Lion.' Facial exercises found in hatha yoga contract and release muscles just like a regular workout, Lihs said. While the original purpose of yoga was to relax the body in preparation for meditation, many people practice hatha (exercise) yoga for health and fitness benefits." Eva Fraser's picture is shown in this article. She is 71 years old, but judging from the picture you'd think she was in her 30's! Fraser is the British facial fitness guru, and considered to be the Jane Fonda of the facial workout in England and Europe, according to this article. Fraser said her facial workout program improves on the facial exercises of hatha yoga by adding the use of fingers and thumbs to give the facial muscles more resistance to work against. Resistance... that's a term I have used any number of times in lessons over the years! (So is "relaxation")! The resistance makes the facial muscles stronger and puts some spring back into them, she says. Now isn't THAT something? I have been trying these exercises the past 2 days, and truthfully haven't noticed much of a difference. But that isn't a fair test, is it? I plan to keep trying and time will tell. One thing I know -- it can't hurt! Isn't this very similar to what we do with buzzing? What? I haven't given you the exercises yet? You didn't get the pictures? Oh... yeah. Well, just think of "The Lion" as "making faces" and you'll have it! "There's a lot of smiling and people enjoy it," says Fraser, who has 2 books out on the subject: "Eva Fraser's Facial Workout" and "Eva Fraser's Face and Body Programme", both published by Viking Penguin, and both books were best sellers in Great Britain and Europe and were subsequently translated into 6 languages -- but not available in the United States!). There is a video that was released in the U.S. -- "Facial Fitness". Nice title, I guess. Funny Faces ----------------------------------- NOTE: these are very similar to the breathing exercises that I have been teaching for years. Part One -- "The Lion" ================= 1) Tighten all the muscles of the face, including the mouth and the eyebrows, squeezing toward the nose, the center of the face. (close that mouth, too -- almost a pucker) 2) Hold onto that tension for a count of six (for breathing, I use eight) 3) Then, release the muscles and stretch them in the opposite direction (eyebrows are up, chin pointed down -- big ole yawn effect!) 4) Stick out your tongue (REALLY), extending outward as far as possible and look up (chin up gang) 5) Hold for a count of six, then relax. This actually feels great -- but don't look at anyone in the process as you might be prone to bursting out laughing. The onlookers might already be laughing at YOU, too. :-) Part Two -- "Turkey Neck Eliminator" ============================ 1) Place a fist under the chin and push upward, raising the chin. 2) Slowly draw up the center of the lower lip over the top lip, turning the corners of the mouth down. (GREAT exercise for trombone chops, yes?) 3) With a gentle forward thrust of the tongue, press the tip of the tongue against the lower teeth and hold for a count of six. 4) RELAX and repeat once more. As in the breathing exercises that I do, I have been doing these for a total of 6 to 8 times. Do this for 25 years and perhaps you, too, will continue to have that "movie star" look, but without the face lift! I've been called a "turkey" before.... --Wayne Dyess _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ Wayne Dyess, Ed.D. Tel. +1-409-880-8146 _/ _/ Lamar University Music Dept. _/ _/ P.O.Box 10044, Beaumont, TX.77710 _/ _/ _/ _/ United Musical Instruments (UMI) _/ _/ "If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Old trombone players never die; They just slide away! From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 20:05:27 -0700 From: Earl Needham To: trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Gig on December 31st night (Not trombone related but...) Message-ID: <3.0.3.32.19991215200527.042a42a0@127.0.0.1> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit At 05:13 PM 12/15/99 -0300, Hugo Garc’a Sampedro wrote: >Hi >Really not trombone related but... >Someone called me to play with a big band on a hotel party on December 31st >'s night (from 11:30 PM to 2:00 AM). As the money is "good" I have >accepted. Now I'm curious about how many people on the list will be in a >similar situation: Beginning the year 2000 with the mouthpiece on their >chops. >Just curious! > >Cordially >-Hugo Unfortunately, I will NOT be. I have tried repeatedly, and the guys who play in the Big Band I am in just don't want to. Not even for $300+ per player! :-( Earl Earl Needham, KD5XB mailto:KD5XB@AMSAT.ORG Clovis, New Mexico DM84jk N34d 25.446 W103d 12.700 (or so) Pet peeve: breath is a noun, breathe is a verb (When you take a breath, you breathe...) From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 22:40:12 -0500 From: Dave Burch To: yeo@yeodoug.com Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: O Holy Night Message-ID: <38585F1C.AD43F2FC@fuse.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I've played a vocal arrangement of 'O Holy Night' from one of my favorite sources, a collection of hymn arrangements for piano and voice by Craig Courtney titled 'Music for the Master'. He has a genius for creating imaginative accompaniments around the basic melody. This one has a lightly dancing figure way up on the treble piano keys that evokes a winter night's sky shining with stars. Beautifully done. I tried to find the book just now to verify the key, but it's hiding from me. I'm pretty sure it's in C, which would make the 'high' note a G. The book is published by Beckenhorst Press of Columbus, Ohio. --Dave Burch Douglas Yeo wrote: > At 5:19 PM -0500 12/14/99, Ian Cooper wrote: > > >Can someone please tell me where I might be able to obtain an arrangemement > >of "O Holy Night" for trombone with Piano accompaniment. Obviously certain > >time constraints would apply. I am in the Southern Ontario, Canada > >(Hamilton)area. > > The Canadian Brass edition will do the job, but if you're in a jam, > the easiest thing to find will be the vocal version published by G. > Schirmer, probably available at any "mom and pop" music store around > the corner, available in 4 keys - I prefer B flat (the "high" note is > only an f above the staff). > > Details: > > Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night!) > by Adolphe Adamfor voice and piano (high/E flat, medium high/D flat, > medium low/C, low/B flat > G. Schirmer > catalog 36860 From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 23:35:02 -0500 From: Peter Collins & Sara Wilbur To: astro@pconline.com Cc: "Trombones and related issues forum." Subject: Re: embouchure issue Message-ID: <38586BF6.4798EAE0@total.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Mike and list, I wanted to respond to this as it related quite closely to my current experience and what I have gone through in about the last three years. Although I have not taken a 15 year rest as in your case I did have some playing problems, one of which was losing the feel for this "sweet spot" as you say. I should say first that the root of the problems that I was experiencing was the use of air. I am now more than ever convinced of Jacobs' teaching of wind and song and that the sound functioning of the air stream and the breathing mechanism solves so many problems. I did have a lesson with Mr. Jacobs the week before he died. He helped me tremendously and I was very upset when he did die not only because of the loss of such a wonderful human being but (selfishly) for the fact that he would not be around to help me solve my problems. I then turned to Nick Atkinson in Ottawa for help. He has certainly done a tremendous job in solving problems and I believe he is Canada's brass pedagogy secret. (shameless plug for Nick!) Mike wrote: > > The greatest frustration I found was that I KNOW how to play the trombone > > and can remember the experience of playing like it was yesterday. however, > > when you don't yet have the musculature and strength you cannot do what you > > used to! Very madding stuff and it takes the patience of a saint to try to > > remain slow and steady and not start trying to play all your favorite > > pieces, or worse yet, favorite Rosolino and Fontana licks! This was my life everyday when I was having the worst of my problems. And yes it is VERY frustrating. I should say that I was/am also playing professionally while all this was/is going on. Go slow and steady and try to see any and all improvement as you go, this is one thing that kept me going and not totally quitting. Did I play anything better today than I did yesterday? More often than not the answer was yes. Think of that when you are practising. There is a lot of stuff that won't go the same as it did yesterday or the day before but try to concentrate on the improvements. Mike wrote: > I have taken the approach that i should treat the instrument > > as a beginner in many respects and try to let it all come back naturally as > > it wants to now. Yes and no. I agree with trying to treat the instrument as a beginner but this becomes very difficult considering the amount of knowledge you have in your head potentially getting in the way of the naivete of a beginning trombone player. Use that knowledge to go carefully and steadily improve. I have taken the approach of using all the knowledge that I have gathered over the years studying with various teachers (Ted Griffith, Murray Crewe, Joe Alessi, Nick Atkinson, Arnold Jacobs) and using it everytime I pick up the horn. I try to imagine that one of them (or a few, or all) are sitting with me on a gig or when I am practicing and try to do what they have told me over the years. This has worked very well of late and I have seen significant improvement and consistency over the last month or so. There are times when I may tend to slip a little and I realize it is as a result of not paying attention to what I am doing thinking that everything is okay. Those are the days I have to stop and reset what I am doing and what I started that day. I hope this helps somewhat. I know what you are going through and would like to think I have some answers and certainly know that I don't have all answers. Write or post if you have more questions. Cheers Peter Collins From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 22:47:56 -0600 From: Wayne Dyess To: astro@pconline.com Cc: Ken Feneley Subject: Re: embouchure issue Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" {NOTE: I initially was going to respond with a personal e-mail.... but then thought that others might benefit from this info... DELETE if you've read my help notes before. There's not much new here, other than the "funny faces" of late.} Mike, my first reaction to your inquiry is to defer your question to my good friend, Ken Feneley. But I don't think he laid off that long. I know that as a band director, that he would have to go long periods of time without much face time. At least, if his experiences as a band director were anything like mine -- that would be the case. It was one thing that I disliked about my job as a junior high band director. I would just be too danged tired to pick up the horn when I got home. Precious little time with family as it was! Ken? You will be better at this than me. What say you? And David Oliver, perhaps you could give Mike some insight, too. There have to be others who laid off for long periods and found a satisfying return to our beloved trombone??? >I have a question that is the product of a discussion I had with friends a >few days ago. When people come back to playing after a long time off (me >for instance, after a 15 years rest :) they frequently go through a rough >period trying to "find" that "sweet spot" again. In my case, I tried that >for a while and then though, well, perhaps my face has changed a bit in 15 >years (for the better, of course) and my "sweet spot" is no longer what or >where it was. I have taken the approach that i should treat the instrument >as a beginner in many respects and try to let it all come back naturally as >it wants to now. > >I would really like to know what you all think about this and if you have >any suggestions as to how to most efficiently find what your natural and >most advantages embouchure. > >The greatest frustration I found was that I KNOW how to play the trombone >and can remember the experience of playing like it was yesterday. however, >when you don't yet have the musculature and strength you cannot do what you >used to! Very madding stuff and it takes the patience of a saint to try to >remain slow and steady and not start trying to play all your favorite >pieces, or worse yet, favorite Rosolino and Fontana licks! No -- PLEASE don't do that. You'll only find frustration and end up quitting when you really shouldn't. If you could ever play any Rosolino lick, you'll find a way to get happy with your playing again -- I guarantee it! Fontana, too. Two of my favorite players, by the way... No... you might (don't laugh) re-read my yoga "funny faces" post (just tonight), and start with those. I don't have a scanner here at the house, but there are three good pictures of these exercise that might help you to better understand what I was trying to explain with words alone. Next, do breathing exercises in the same fashion. 1) Breath in slowly for 8 counts, hold for 8 counts, exhale slowly for 8 counts. 2) Repeat 8 times. 3) Breath in slowly for 8 counts, exhale in 1, hold for 8. 4) Repeat 8 times. 5) Breath in FAST in 1 count, top the tank (take in more air), again, and again. Hold for 8. Exhale slowly. 6) Repeat 8 times. This is much like stretching a balloon. The lungs will just work better after doing this exercise, even 3 or 4 times each, rather than the full 8 that I do. #1 -- just a good basic breathing exercise. #3 -- especially good for demonstrating to a student that even when they think they are out of air, they can still make it to the end of a phrase. This is one of my best tricks for getting students to play more musical lines and phrases! #5 -- This demonstrates to the student that we very seldom take in a full breath of air, thus filling the lungs fully. Another effective exercise! These "funny face" yoga exercises will do even more to help you regain your face muscles, to my way of thinking anyway. Try them. Next, it's face time with the horn. Those exercises above can be done at any time during the day without having to have a horn to your face. In the car on the way to work, during a lunch break, walking from here to yonder... anytime. But with the horn, you may be more limited in time. Try to find a good, safe area where you can keep the instrument out all the time on a trombone stand. You'll be more tempted to play it that way. I know I am. 15 to 30 minutes a day of good, solid Remington styled long-tones and you'll start to re-develop those finer muscles in your face that we call an embouchure. Fundamentals, with stress on the FUN. Start the day (on the horn) with something you enjoy playing. Put on a favorite CD and play along for a cut or 2 (or 74 minutes worth, if you want)... Do SOME long tones. I would highly recommend these (that many would call boring) because they will help you to re-establish your embouchure and those finer face muscles. Do SOME flexibilities. These, if done properly, can also help to stretch the chops. If you find you are having trouble, then start slowly. Play 3-note slurs. If you can do that OK, then go to 5-note slurs. The ultimate goal might be 7 or even 8-note (and beyond) slurs. I tend to vary these and not do the same thing on a daily basis. Variety is the spice of life, yes? Do SOME scales. Yep. Scales. Try to re-establish the old ears. You know full well what major scales should sound like. Tune them up, and re-acquaint yourself with the musical alphabet. Ya can't read if ya don't remember the letters! And ya can't expect to read music adeptly if ya don't have a good handle on this fundamental of musicianship! END. Again, I like to end a practice session with something that I really enjoy. When I was younger, I would record the 2nd part of a duet, and record several of them. Then I would play it back and play the 1st part. Yep -- instant duets without a partner. And FUN! When I got older, I just loved the challenge of playing a good VALVE-sounding legato, so I would end my practice session with any old Rochut/Bordogni Melodious Etude. If you don't have that book, I highly recommend Book I. Buy several method books and vary your practice routine each day. Don't get in a rut, ma man. Rochut/Bordogni: Melodious Etudes for Trombone, Volume I. Arban's Complete Method for Trombone (or for Trumpet if you are brave) Voxman: Selected Studies for Trombone (is that the title?) Kopprasch: 60 Studies for Trombone (titles elude me just now), Book I. Blazhevich: Clef Studies. I'm told this is unavailable, but many music stores have it in stock. Texas uses the following for All-State tryouts, and it's a good substitute: Fink: Advanced Musical Etudes for Trombone and Euphonium in Bass Clef (112 Rhythmic and Melodic Studies based on Blazhevich's Etudes), published by Accura Music. It's the only book I have at home right now. Something in that list above will challenge you. If it's too challenging, then perhaps a brush-up with one of the Rubank intermediate or advanced books would be more to your liking. The point is, get a collection of method books from which to practice. And just have FUN with the trombone again. That's all, Wayne Dyess > >Also, is anyone here familiar with a trombonist named Larry Zimmerman >(probably in Minneapolis) > >Please write soon and a lot :) > >Mike _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ Wayne Dyess, Ed.D. Tel. +1-409-880-8146 _/ _/ Lamar University Music Dept. _/ _/ P.O.Box 10044, Beaumont, TX.77710 _/ _/ _/ _/ United Musical Instruments (UMI) _/ _/ "If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Old trombone players never die; They just slide away! From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 23:07:28 -0600 From: Wayne Dyess To: Trombone-L Subject: Signing off the list? Here's a trombone-L Survival Kit. Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" Seems we have a good number of folks signing off for the upcoming holidays. It's a busy time of year to be sure, so I thought I'd better extend my best wishes before I'm the only one left... Happy Holidays, friends. And here's food for thought, based loosely on Chris Waage's survival kit for the trombonist (mute bag to us pion's). I love you guys! --Wayne Dyess A SURVIVAL KIT FOR TROMBONE-L. (author unknown) Items Needed: * Toothpick * Rubber Band * Band Aid * Pencil * Eraser * Chewing Gum * Mint * Candy Kiss * Tea Bag Why??? 1) TOOTHPICK - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. 2) RUBBER BAND - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out. 3) BAND AID - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's. 4) PENCIL - to remind you to list your blessings everyday. 5) ERASER - To remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's OK. 6) CHEWING GUM - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything. 7) MINT - to remind you that you are worth a mint! 8) CANDY KISS - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday. 9) TEA BAG - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of blessings. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, share a word of praise and they always open their hearts to us. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a GREAT NEW YEAR! P.S. -- and don't forget the most important item for your "survival kit" -- da trombone!!!!!!! :-) _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ Wayne Dyess, Ed.D. Tel. +1-409-880-8146 _/ _/ Lamar University Music Dept. _/ _/ P.O.Box 10044, Beaumont, TX.77710 _/ _/ _/ _/ United Musical Instruments (UMI) _/ _/ "If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Old trombone players never die; They just slide away! From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 21:40:36 -0800 From: "Bryce McGrew" To: TBone Central , trombone-l@lists.missouri.edu Subject: Mute! Message-ID: <199912160545.VAA13815@smtp6.jps.net> Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit My friend Johanna just got back from New York. You may have seen her on TV or in a paper, she has got a lot of press lately. She is the oboe player who was able to play with the New York Phil, through the Make a Wish Foundation. Anyway, I asked her to see if she could get Joe Alessi's autograph for me. When I saw her today, she handed me a Jo-Ral Harmon, signed to me from him and dated. And it's one that he played on; it's a bit beat up. To me, just a decent high school musician, that is a VERY cool thing to have....I just had to share that. Bryce McGrew brycemc@jps.net Trombone players do it in 7 positions :) From ???@??? Thu Dec 16 07:43:45 1999 Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 10:50:27 +-100 From: Eric Burger To: "'Trombone List'" Subject: Thankful for what I got... Message-ID: <01BF47B3.D42250C0@fra-pci-laj-vty47.as.wcom.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Mr. Yeo's post is right on the mark! as for me... I think of how I am blessed the ability to play the trombone (and other things) for a living. This month has been so wacko - I have played music to be ignored by, Dixie, legit, a couple of country gigs (on bass/vocals), wrote a marching show, arranged for big band, ran an 18,000 watt/ 56 channel PA for the army Christmas concert, and played my steady Saturday gig with a dance band that does soul and RAP music (some of which is pretty dang good - and I have found some cool background lines to play). What could be better? I think that of all the players who could play so much better than I, and yet never really got to gig. I think of the friends over time who slaved away on their scales and excerpts, dished out the big bucks for the best teachers, and yet never did it... This list is about trombone playing and music, and I jump to this before I read the latest from my Ma, and I wonder if everyone out there realizes just how lucky they are... The best advice I ever got came the same from three great men Don Staples, Paul Tanner, and Frank Rosolino: when I worried to them if I'd ever be good enough to pursue the dream of being a full-time musician - the response was "if your want to do it, then do it..." so I did. good luck and Merry Christmas! Eric