Unwanted multiphonic on tenor

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PiccoloTrombonist1
Posts: 41
Joined: Jun 30, 2023

by PiccoloTrombonist1 »

After playing piccolo trombone for a while, i got used to the mouthpiece and buzzing differently. However, i still needed to practice tenor trombone, which for whatever reason i hadnt played in a while. Whenever i play notes (specifically notes above F4), i have to change mr embouchure to allow air to flow correctly. However, when i make this change, i get a multiphonic like sound. Not as in horn growl, but almost like 2 out-of-tune trumpets trying to play louder than the other trumpet. Is there any way to adjust my embouchure, or some other change i could make to avoid this?
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

You should get a lesson
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Sounds like a double buzz. Keep that lower lip firm!
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Vegasbound
Posts: 1328
Joined: Jul 06, 2019

by Vegasbound »

[quote="Burgerbob"]Sounds like a double buzz. Keep that lower lip firm![/quote][quote="harrisonreed"]You should get a lesson[/quote]

Have a Skype lesson with DE :clever:
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ALT
Posts: 6
Joined: Jun 15, 2018

by ALT »

[quote="Burgerbob"]Keep that lower lip firm![/quote]

What does this even mean?
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

[quote="ALT"]<QUOTE author="Burgerbob" post_id="217133" time="1691381960" user_id="3131">
Keep that lower lip firm![/quote]

What does this even mean?
</QUOTE>

For most players, the upper lip is doing the real buzzing while the lower lip is being buzzed on, like a single reed instrument.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

Yeah when you get a lip multiphonic, both lips are vibrating different pitches.
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SkylarsTbone
Posts: 1
Joined: Apr 01, 2024

by SkylarsTbone »

[quote="Burgerbob"]Sounds like a double buzz. Keep that lower lip firm![/quote]

Thank you for this!!! I was practicing my solo and my A kept making strange buzzing sounds, which I later learned were multiphonics. I was paying zero attention to my lower lip whilst playing, so this really was a lifesaver.
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Kbiggs
Posts: 1768
Joined: Mar 24, 2018

by Kbiggs »

Yes, a double-buzz often means that when a person who plays with more upper lip in the mouthpiece (Doug’s very high placement or high placement) doesn’t keep their lower lip firm enough, they can get that double-buzz. Sometimes, it can also be due to the mouthpiece placement being off, usually a little too low. For me, it was a combination of both.

I think that for people who play with more lower lip in the mouthpiece it’s just the opposite, but I’d check with Doug.
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blap73
Posts: 127
Joined: Dec 26, 2021

by blap73 »

I'll concur that having your MP placement slip a bit will aggravate / cause double-buzz.

I was having this happen a lot in concert situations, later in the program as I got tired. The quick fix was to stop playing, remove horn from face, re-set, and proceed. A very small shift from where I would normally have the MP would trip me up. Also I found that going back to a bit smaller rim diameter gave less problems.

It's a hugely frustrating experience when you are stuck in it.

Also suggest you Google Donald S. Reinhardt "pivot system"
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trombonePlayer48
Posts: 1
Joined: Jul 07, 2024

by trombonePlayer48 »

[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="ALT" post_id="217151" time="1691408100" user_id="3409">

What does this even mean?[/quote]

For most players, the upper lip is doing the real buzzing while the lower lip is being buzzed on, like a single reed instrument.
</QUOTE>

This is what helped me, thanks a lot!