Thanks for responding!! I have one more question: I am trying to become fluent in my playing but I have a hard time playing phrases fast and fluently even after I've learned them.... How do I fix this problem?
@ToliKwoli I recommend learning to sing everything you're trying to play, especially if you ever hope to play it fast and still maintain an honest connection to the idea. If you sing the phrase you're working on you will gain a real understanding of what it sounds like, once you hear in clearly in your mind, like your voice, you'll be well on your way to playing it fluently on your instrument.
@mattotto I just want to say that you are amazing!! I like how u encourage to play subconsciously and in relaxed states which currently I'm learning...... But I'll get it... I actually have a question: while we actively listen, what are we listening for? Are we listening for the note that we use to play the long tone?
@ToliKwoli Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you enjoy the blog lessons. When I say 'active listening', I just mean listen to the sounds that your ears hear. Imagine someone has asked you, "what do you hear right now?". Just listen to whatever sounds your ear picks up that moment, than relax and play your long tone.
@Beeflat79 You play the long tones flat for two reasons. One is to help develop the muscles in the embouchure that are responsible for opening up the sound and changing timbre - which will also help you avoid a nasal/pinched/small tone or sound. The second is to help gain control of your ability to adjust the pitch, in general, there is more room for adjustment playing flat than playing sharp, but, it is more difficult to maintain a stable tone while holding the note flat.
Thanks for responding!! I have one more question: I am trying to become fluent in my playing but I have a hard time playing phrases fast and fluently even after I've learned them.... How do I fix this problem?
ToliKwoli 1 year ago
@ToliKwoli I recommend learning to sing everything you're trying to play, especially if you ever hope to play it fast and still maintain an honest connection to the idea. If you sing the phrase you're working on you will gain a real understanding of what it sounds like, once you hear in clearly in your mind, like your voice, you'll be well on your way to playing it fluently on your instrument.
MattOttoJazz 1 year ago
@mattotto I just want to say that you are amazing!! I like how u encourage to play subconsciously and in relaxed states which currently I'm learning...... But I'll get it... I actually have a question: while we actively listen, what are we listening for? Are we listening for the note that we use to play the long tone?
ToliKwoli 1 year ago
@ToliKwoli Thanks for the comment, I'm glad you enjoy the blog lessons. When I say 'active listening', I just mean listen to the sounds that your ears hear. Imagine someone has asked you, "what do you hear right now?". Just listen to whatever sounds your ear picks up that moment, than relax and play your long tone.
MattOttoJazz 1 year ago
Thank you for the lessons Matt, Great site! i have a question about this lesson... why do we play the long tone flattened?
Beeflat79 1 year ago
@Beeflat79 You play the long tones flat for two reasons. One is to help develop the muscles in the embouchure that are responsible for opening up the sound and changing timbre - which will also help you avoid a nasal/pinched/small tone or sound. The second is to help gain control of your ability to adjust the pitch, in general, there is more room for adjustment playing flat than playing sharp, but, it is more difficult to maintain a stable tone while holding the note flat.
MattOttoJazz 1 year ago