Posted by Charley UK on January 28, 2003 at 14:00:21:
Hi from England,
Most low brass tbn/euph/tuba players accept the pedal register as part of their daily routine and compass.
I am constantly rying to impress upon other players that pedals can benefit ALL instrumentalists a great deal.
Recently, a trumpeter friend of mine enquired about mouthpieces to improve sound.
I was able to deter him for a couple of days, giving him my copy of about 12 hymn tunes, playable on 3 valves in the pedal register.
He could get a clear C (B flat)but not a lot else.
Within 3 days he could go down to G & F and his control and sound had really improved.
All of us low brassers know that pedals are produced with very little resitance, but need lots of air and control.Adapting that process into the higher register makes a big improvement as well.
I remember hearing a recording of Herbert L.Clarke with huge fat pedal notes in his solos.
Don't just leave it to the tubas !
Regards, Charley.