Posted by Steve Oberheu on February 12, 2000 at 09:03:42:
In Reply to: Improving Tone posted by Matt A on February 12, 2000 at 00:01:27:
Hello Matt!
My immediate suspicion is that your teeth are too close together and you're making what someone may describe as a "covered" sound.
Remedy: say the word "duh" really long, like one of the really dumb characters in a cartoon. Keep your mouth open in this position and your jaw relaxed, almost like you're expecting to drool. Notice how far apart your teeth are...you should be able to fit two fingertips side by side in the opening. All you have to do now is bring your lips around this position and play. Now, take a huge breath and play a long low note (BBb or CC). Keep the inside of your mouth open and your jaw relaxed.
If necessary, clench your teeth shut and play over that set. Gradually open the inside of your mouth wider and wider until you get back to the "duh" set. Stop and say "duh" again, then attack immediately with that set. Go up and down some easy scales, keeping open. Once you feel you're closing up again, stop...rest for a minute, then say "duh" and start again.
The "duh" embouchre will probably feel really unnatural for a while, don't worry about it. It will feel natural after a few weeks. Have patience.
Go to work on it! Best success to you!