It's a word you hardly hear in connection with brass playing and that's a shame, since it is one of our most important concepts. It allows us to play cleanly and makes our technique much easier.
The word is Coordination!
We have to coordinate the timing of the lips, fingers, abdominal muscles, and tongue on every note. The timing is critical! Small changes in timing can have deleterious or beneficial effects.
This is one more reason it is so important to practice slowly and carefully several times a day and why the Slow to Fast practice technique is so valuable.
A common coordination problem is the relationship of air control and embouchure when slurring. Most people increase the air flow for a slur too late, after the chops start changing. This is a common fault of face-based playing. When slurring the air should move first.
Experiment with your timing and you will find your playing much improved. The act of working on it will make you a better player.
The word is Coordination!
We have to coordinate the timing of the lips, fingers, abdominal muscles, and tongue on every note. The timing is critical! Small changes in timing can have deleterious or beneficial effects.
This is one more reason it is so important to practice slowly and carefully several times a day and why the Slow to Fast practice technique is so valuable.
A common coordination problem is the relationship of air control and embouchure when slurring. Most people increase the air flow for a slur too late, after the chops start changing. This is a common fault of face-based playing. When slurring the air should move first.
Experiment with your timing and you will find your playing much improved. The act of working on it will make you a better player.
