Category Archives: Embouchure

Avoiding the Patrick Star Sound (“The Singing Trombone” Epilogue)

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Micah Everett

A couple of days ago I wrote a little article about the historical and musical reasons for taking a “singing” approach to trombone playing. While I did not say so directly, this approach is appropriate not only for the trombone, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Baritone Horn, Bass Trombone, Embouchure, Euphonium, Music, Patrick Star, Pedagogy, Performing, Playing Fundamentals, Practicing, Spongebob Squarepants, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, Trombone, Tuba | Comments Off on Avoiding the Patrick Star Sound (“The Singing Trombone” Epilogue)

Essential Concepts in Brass Playing 4: Airflow Is a Means, Not the End

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Micah Everett

Last week I began the third installment in this series with the following sentence: “Generous, efficient airflow is vital to playing any brass instrument, but it is important that players understand just what the role of the air is, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Arnold Jacobs, Baritone Horn, Bass Trombone, Breathing, Contrabass Trombone, Daily Routine, David Vining, Embouchure, Emory Remington, Essential Concepts in Brass Playing, Euphonium, Music, Pedagogy, Performing, Playing Fundamentals, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, The Breathing Book, The Breathing Gym, Trombone, Tuba | Comments Off on Essential Concepts in Brass Playing 4: Airflow Is a Means, Not the End

Essential Concepts in Brass Playing 3: Vibration Creates Tone

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Micah Everett

Generous, efficient airflow is vital to playing any brass instrument, but it is important that players understand just what the role of the air is, and what it is not. When working with new students one of my first questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Baritone Horn, Bass Trombone, Breathing, Contrabass Trombone, Daily Routine, Embouchure, Essential Concepts in Brass Playing, Euphonium, Music, Pedagogy, Performing, Physical Fitness, Playing Fundamentals, Practicing, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, The Breathing Gym, Trombone, Tuba | Comments Off on Essential Concepts in Brass Playing 3: Vibration Creates Tone

Jaw Pain While Playing? Check Your Corners!

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Micah Everett

My first diagnosed issues with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD, sometimes called TMJ) occurred in 2007. Anyone who has experienced this knows that determining the cause of this pain and tightness is difficult, as is treating it. For whatever reason, TMJ issues … Continue reading →

Posted in American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Equilibration Society, Dentistry, Embouchure, International Academy of Gnathology, Pedagogy, Teaching Low Brass, Temporomandibular Dysfunction | Comments Off on Jaw Pain While Playing? Check Your Corners!

On Exercise Equipment and Musical Development

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Micah Everett

The phenomenon of unused home exercise equipment is so pervasive in our society that it has become something of a trope. With the holiday season fast approaching, many families will soon see this in action once again. Typically, a person … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Trombone, Articulation, Bass Trombone, Breathing, Daily Routine, Embouchure, Euphonium, Mouthpiece Buzzing, Music, Pedagogy, Playing Fundamentals, Practicing, Teaching Low Brass, Tenor Trombone, Trombone, Tuba | Comments Off on On Exercise Equipment and Musical Development