How can I teach a brass instrument player to play low notes?

Question

I have a student who is having trouble reaching low notes on a brass instrument. I have tried to get the idea across of "dropping the jaw" but it doesn't seem to get through. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Toe or Do on low notes helps. Ta or Da on medium and Di or Ti on high notes.

Answer 2

If they're playing anything other than tuba, I'd give them a mouthpiece for a lower-voiced instrument and have them play a few notes on it. Once they get an idea how it feels to play those lower pitches, give them back their smaller mouthpiece and tell them to try to recreate the feel on the smaller mouthpiece.

Singing the note could work, as long as the kid has good pitch. I've had several students who really need some pitch work, so that's not always an effective solution.

Telling someone to drop their jaw can be a bit risky too, since even really low notes still need support from your jaw to sound good. I suppose if you get the student to support the note with their jaw after they find it this way initially, it would be all right.

I suppose if its a tuba player, you could always use my first suggestion and give them a didgeridoo :)

Answer 3

i like to use the open throat idea, have the child picture an egg in the back of their throat. this gets the throat open and drops the jaw in the proper way. also tell them to RELAX, tight muscles are bad for low notes

Answer 4

try having them sing the note they are trying to play, then tell them to hold their jaw and open their throat to play that note in the same position as when they would sing it.

Answer 5

Just find some helping tips on http://www.google.com