AboutColin Murray Expertise I can answer about trombone equipment (instruments, mouthpieces, used horns, etc) and
trombone (especially bass trombone) playing. If I don't know right away, I have an extensive
network of experts to call on. I can't help you get a date.
Experience 25 years as professional bass trombonist (playing in big bands,orchestras, theatre, etc), 20 years as brass repair technician and retail and wholesale sales. Bass trombone instructor at Humber College, Toronto. Creator of website www.mrequipment.net - all about brass and woodwind gear and the people behind it.
Organizations National Association of Music Merchants, American Federation of Musicians, International Trombone Association
Education/Credentials B.Mus, L.Mus (Performance) McGill University, Montreal
Question I was wondering what were some practicing tips that could help me improve the tone of my higher notes. I find I can play lower notes really well in good tone, though when I go up a little higher, even just A natural, my tone starts to get a little ugly. Thanks for the help!
Answer Hi Matt,
It could be that you're changing your embouchure at that point (the A natural), and/or it's the upper limit of your "good" notes. You'll have to expand your range one note at a time, while trying to keep a consistent embouchure setup. One of the best ways to do this is through long tones and lip slurs, being careful to keep the same setup as you would on a middle F (in the staff) for example. Try octave lip slurs in half notes starting on a middle Eb, using the air to get you up the octave, while keeping the good tone of lower Eb and the same embouchure setting. Listen carefully, and don't strain! Go up chromatically as high as you can maintain a good sound on the upper note, and don't move on to the next higher note until you can get a good sound.
