Showing posts with label Woodwind Instruments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Woodwind Instruments. Show all posts

Thursday, March 23, 2017

OBOE - Music-Instruments of the World

Oboe - Music-Instruments of the World



Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Correct Breathing for WIND and BRASS PLAYERS

Details of a wind instrument.
Details of a wind instrument.
(Photo credit: 
Wikipedia)
A correct deep breathing technique is essential to playing any wind or brass instrument, but there are many misconceptions surrounding the way to breathe and what parts of your body are doing the work and what you should be doing in order to support the airflow.

And when I say support I mean a way of producing a constant and equal airflow that will produce the best sound on your instrument. A good analogy would be blowing the flame of a candle and keeping the "bend" of the flame constant as you blow across it rather than one quick breathe which blows the candle out.

Personally I was always told to support using the diaphragm, but actually this is impossible as the diaphragm deflates as you breathe out.

So what does the diaphragm do...? the muscle contracts and pulls downwards when we breath in, and returns to its original position when we breath out. Obviously this is a difficult theory to teach because we don't have X-ray vision and can't see what's happening inside our bodies while we teach someone or are playing our instrument. And this is where the misconception arouse from. The diaphragm really isn't that involved in breathing when playing a wind instrument, it's actually an involuntary muscle, we have no control over it at all! So how you can you possibly support using your diaphragm??

The truth is that the diaphragm is used on the inhale and the abdominal muscle group is used to ‘support’ the air on the exhale.

To find out if you are breathing correctily place your hand on the 'spongy' feeling area just below the V of the rib-cage. This is essentially the top edge of the abdominals. Then simulate a short, loud cough, or laugh. You should see and feel the muscle jump outwards along with the sound.

Next take your instrument and play a note that only requires one hand if possible (G on the sax, low C on the clarinet, middle C on the bassoon, etc.) Then place your free right hand back on the abdominals, pushing in slightly, and feel what it does when they play the note. They should feel the muscle pushing steadily out against the hand.

Hidden Danger

There is one thing you have to be aware of when learning this deep breathing technique!

When you push with your abdominal muscles your entire body tenses up and this tension particularly affects the throat and jaw, closing them off so that the air does not get through properly and you get a strangled sound.

So you need to be aware of being relaxed everywhere but your abdominal muscles. This may take some practice.



Monday, March 20, 2017

CONTRABASSOON - Buying Your First Contrabasoon

Contrabassoon
Contrabassoon
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

History
Developed in the mid-17th century, the contrabassoon was initially used to play church music, and eventually moved into the British military bands.

Compared to the regular bassoon
When compared to their cousin, contrabasoons are generally larger, with a 70-75 mm in total length. Also, fingering techniques in contrabasoons are slightly different, particularly at the register change and in extreme high range.

Rather than being supported by a seat strap, a contrabassoon is supported by an endpin because of its considerable length.

Finally, a contrabasoon cannot be disassembled without a screwdriver. The instrument often has two parts: a bell and bocal.

Kinds
Contrabasoons come in two kinds: one-piece and two-piece.

A one-piece contrabassoon is made from wood with a silver tube called a bocal extending from the top to the reed. This type is commonly used because of its sturdiness and easier maintenance. Some models also come with detachable bells.

Meanwhile, a two-piece contrabassoon has a detachable top and bottom area, as well as separate bells and bocals. It usually has a lower A extensions in addition to the Bo limit.

Buying tips
If you are thinking of buying a contrabassoon, look for one that has an excellent support. Choose a contrabasoon that comes with a sturdy endpin or floor peg to support it from the floor. Also, make sure that it can tilt from the endpin allowing for a more comfortable playing position. You can also look for a contrabassoon that has comes with a shoulder strap to reduce weight on the endpin.

Finally, make sure that you can easily reach the finger keys of your instrument. A contrabassoon's finger keys are usually spaced farther as compared to regular bassoon keys.




Saturday, February 25, 2017

Band Instrument Repair - FLUTES

So you want to be a flute player. Well the best way to get the maximum results out of your learning and playing, is to keep the flute well maintained. I am a band instrument repair tech and I can tell you that some of the instruments I see are in pretty bad shape.

Drawing of a flute.
Drawing of a flute. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dents, dents and more dents. Flutes are a fairly sturdy instrument but the should not be used for play sword fighting or propping doors open or jamming in doors! I have taken a lot of dents out of flutes and straightened them out so their keys will fit over the holes again. However, dent removal is quite expensive and time consuming.

The head joint should be kept in good shape. The head joint tenon needs to be kept clean and free from dents and dirt so it will keep a good seal when fitted into the body. The head cork should be changed yearly to insure a tight seal also. This will insure the flute plays in key. The crown should fit snug but able to be used to adjust the head cork up and down for tuning purposes. Also, the lip plate needs to be kept in good shape and free from dents as well as cleaned very frequently. After all, this is where you put your mouth to play the flute.

A word on cleanliness of the head joint. In these times of Swine flu and contagious viruses and germs it is vital that you keep the mouthpiece clean. I use a spray 9 and isopropanol alcohol combination to insure the head joint is clean both before and after I play test an instrument I'm working on. I suggest you carry 2 small spray bottles with your instrument and keep it clean and sanitized at all times.

Next we talk about the body of the flute.



Sunday, February 19, 2017

BASSOON REEDS Are the Key to the Instrument's Timbre

Bassoon reeds are usually around cm ( ERROR {C...
Bassoon reeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bassoon reeds are the key to the warm, dark, reedy timbre of this unique instrument. A member of the woodwind family of instruments, the bassoon has been around in its current form since about 1650, although the dulcian, its immediate forerunner, was of a similar shape.

However, unlike the bassoon, the dulcian was extremely limited in range and register. It was a "primitive" instrument and had a mere eight key holes, which severely limited the range, agility, and dexterity of the instrument.

The bassoon typically plays music which has been written in both the bass and tenor registers, although it is not unknown for the instrument to occasionally play higher than these. Indeed, the preferred range of the instrument is such that comparisons are made to the cello when comparing the sound to any other musical instrument, and to a male baritone voice when comparing to that of a vocalist.

Some aficionados compare the upper ranges to the sound which is reproduced by the oboe. However, an oboist would probably strongly disagree with that comparison. The instrument is a regular and important element in the orchestral, concert band, and chamber music literature and genres. As such, it has been featured heavily in the evolution of popular classical music. The bassoon sound and range has influenced many composers throughout history, including Paul Dukas, Jean Sibelius, and Dmitri Shostakovich. Shostakovich specifically composed symphonies including No. 1, No. 4, No. 5, the No. 7 "Leningrad" first movement, No. 8, and No. 9 around the bassoon.

Musicians who make the bassoon their instrument of choice tend to have large hands, because of the angle and spacing of the keys and the wide register which can be achieved. The instrument is not everyone's preferred or favorite instrument, and has been disparagingly referred to as the "clown of the orchestra," although it has to be said that, if it was stretched out to its full length, it would perhaps be considered more a "clown" than is the case now.

Traditionally made from maple wood, there has been a tendency of late to find them being made from ebonite, a hard black rubber. However, purists brought up on maple wood bassoons will hear nothing of it and, although there is no difference in the quality of the sound, traditionalists remain unconvinced. Perhaps this is the latest in the long evolution of the bassoon and its place in the history of classical orchestral and chamber music.

    By Tom R Jacobsen
    Midwest Musical Imports is the home of all things related to classical and modern musical instruments, including oboes and reeds, clarinets, bassoon reeds, bassoons, and English horns among others. Increasing numbers of amateur and professional musicians are placing their trust in the reliability of Midwest Musical Imports. Check out the website today for more detailed information and a secure platform for purchasing at mmimports
    Tom Jacobsen is an expert article writer specially this subject bassoon reeds

    Article Source: EzineArticles