Posted by Dave on July 25, 2001 at 08:55:39:
In Reply to: prokofiev posted by need help! on July 24, 2001 at 22:48:22:
I'll go one step further than Devin...Tongue between your lips. Your aperture already has to be set very wide to play those low Fs at a loud volume. Don't clutter up your airstream by arching your tongue up to articulate on your teeth...think "Poh, Poh, Poh" with your tongue penetrating your aperture.
Practice playing the low F as a dotted half. Once you are satisfied with the way that you can sustain that note at fortissimo, simply interrupt the airstream with your tongue (still thinking dotted half!) Another idea is to practice it at a lower dynamic and gradually get louder. Challenge yourself to play it a six distinctly different dynamics. By controlling in the mp area you aresetting yourself up for eventual success at a louder dynamic.
Good Luck!