Probably half of all missed notes are the first note
Jacobs point of pride to hear the pitch – CSO in Vermont
Major causes of misses:
- Insecurity – don’t know the pitch, lack of practice, lack of self-confidence
- Incorrect pitch in mind, no pitch in the brain, maybe just a word (high) or letter name (G) ; the lips ARE doing what they’re told; listen to the direction of the error to know what is wrong in the ear
- Inadequate air flow
- Tongue moves too slowly
Bad habits: pop the first note (which gives security) or swelling the first note (toe in the swimming pool)
Cures:
- Air
- The style of the breath in sets the style of the breath out
- Neisler – slight ritard at end of inhalation keeps blowing out relaxed
- Practice without the tongue- cultivates dependency on air; practice on mouthpiece and instrument
- Think of blowing sound, not placing; bigger target; longer note (makes it seem bigger)
- Think of attack as release of air; “front” of note vs. “attack”
- Danger of setting (from breathing) – let the air go immediately following inhalation
- OH, TU
- A short note is the first part of a long note, so play it long, establish correct, and then play just the first part (short)
- Mr. Cichowicz – “do it again”
- Focus the pitch – sing, then mouthpiece; sing, then horn
- Test yourself