Playing Quiet

[HBB]

I've just swapped from Cornet to Eb Bass and I was wondering whether you could give me any advice in playing quietly, I can't do It!!!!


Thanks

Ben

 

[Naomi McFadyen]

more air

 

[HBB]

Tried that ...... but It comes out really loud compared to the other basses :shock:

 

[Lauradoll]

Go back on cornet?? :wink:

Sorry, this has been a very long week!!!

 

[Naomi McFadyen]

mime ;-)

 

[HBB]

Serious! :

 

[WhatSharp?]

Get everyone else to play louder!

It's cause you're sitting next to John

I think it's one of those, fill the instrument but don't force the air through things.

 

[lynchie]

all about lung control i think... try and get a slow constant airflow, while buzzing at just the right speed, and keeping things in tune... nothing much!

 

[James McFadyen]

Quetly, what's that! I know how to play loud!! Mind u, writing ffffff in Opposition of Mars perhaps shows I like things loud

 

[lynchie]

and you obviously aren't too hot on latin grammar...

 

[James McFadyen]

eh?

 

[HBB]

And yet another topic's gone dreadfully off-topic.....

 

[Naomi McFadyen]

:lol:

 

[Dave Euph]

A nice tip I picked up not too long ago goes something along these lines:

When your parts are marked piano, don't play quiet but use less air-speed, vice-versa for parts marked forte.

 

[Chunky]

I find best thing for quiet passages is plenty of air through the instrument at a slower speed.

Making such a jump, there possibly a sub-concious feeling that you have to force the air to fill the instrument.

Plenty of air and control thats the key.

 

[PeterBale]

Moving to a larger bore is always likely to present problems in adjusting. As has been said it is important that enough air is going through to produce a steady tone. Do you find it hard playing quietly at all, or is it that you're afraid that the note won't sound unless you give it enough power?

I think sometimes, particularly with a larger instrument, players can be so anxious to get a good start, and not end up behind the beat, that it can sound a bit like a mini explosion at the start of a phrase. I would recommend lots of practice - of course - plenty of long notes and legato playing, starting at a dynamic you feel comfortable with, and then gradually getting quieter, but ensuring tone quality stays good and even.

And congratulations on joining the right section of the band :!: :wink: :lol:

 

[ted]

Just sit back (mentally), relax and fill your instrument slowly with air. Now, you've done your time on cornet and earnt your promotion into the right side of the band. Don't blow it. (2 puns in a row! Peter's gotta be happy about that...)

Ted

 

[Aidan]

all about lung control i think... try and get a slow constant airflow, while buzzing at just the right speed, and keeping things in tune... nothing much!

you mean diaphragm control but don't fall into the trap that a slow airflow means less air.. its just less speed, you need more air-support to produce a nice quiet note than a loud one.