it’s all about the buzz
3 THINGS TO DO TODAY TO HELP THE FREE BUZZ
Buzzing without the mouthpiece, or free buzzing, is often a mystery to horn players and band directors. We know we have to do it to make a sound, but why is it so hard?
Like anything, developing a good technique takes time and practice. But you have to know the best ways to get there in the first place.
Here are 3 great ways to get the buzz sounding better (even if you can’t free-buzz yet).
Spit a Seed!
Pretend like you have something in your mouth and you are spitting it out. Sometimes it even helps to PUT something in your mouth that you can spit out (like an actual seed or piece of paper). Put your tongue behind your lips and give one slightly forceful spit with some air behind it.
Make motor boat or weed whacker sounds at different speeds.
Have you ever been to the lake or heard someone doing yard work? I have heard boats start "slow" in the no-wake zone get slowly faster across the lake. Your buzz can change speeds too. Practice copying those sounds. If your buzz can't get faster yet, don't worry, keep developing that muscle slower and try matching low notes on a piano.
Hold a straw or plastic coffee stir between the lips where the aperture is (this is the opening through which air passes when we buzz/play).
Use your muscles to hold it there as if you were going to play, but just blow air through that tiny opening. Remove the straw/stir and close the aperture a little until a buzz starts. This is good calisthenics exercise.
Need more help?? email me at thehornprofessor@gmail.com