thepresenceofenemies asked: I just recently changed from Clarinet to Mellophone for marching band. When I do play clarinet (concert band) i'm always flat which is rare for me because I'm mostly always in tune. Is there anyway to adjust my mouth or anything I can do to help me be less flat?

I, too, have played a brass instrument for marching band (in college) instead of clarinet (the trumpet)! Hm, it’s hard to tell over the internet what your problem could be! But my suggestion is to focus on the corners of your mouth, make sure you’re embouchure isn’t too loose (which makes you flat) and bring your corners of your mouth in while playing, like you’re saying an ‘oo’ sound. Hopefully this helps you out some! Let us know if you have any other questions/how it all works out.

- Lindsey :]

Music Practice

Just a simple way of getting better in just an hours practice:

Take your music, a pencil and a recording and just sit and listen to the piece. Write down what you notice. Then play it through slowly to not mess up any rhythms and notes.

Listen to again but now listen to the background. What do you notice that another instrument is doing.

Play again taking in consideration of what that instrument was doing.

Listen again and when you play who are you playing with, who is playing with you? Is your part the most important part?

Play.

just keep doing this but looking for something different each time you listen and then play.

You could even go further steps and read up on the Composer’s history. What pieces he/she wrote before and after the piece you’re playing. Who else was writing at the time. Who influenced them. How old were they. Some historical facts on something/someone totally unrelated to the composer. These things all help you understand the piece and music whether it is a solo piece, orchestral, wind ensemble, etc.

Gerry Marsh learned this from his teacher and his teacher learned this from the Principal Trumpet years ago when he was the Principal for a long time. I forget names. haha sorry

Hope you found this helpful :]

Oscar Soria

Every time I see an ad for the Buffet Divine

whatshouldwecallclarinet: