Any thoughts on Willey’s “Focal Point”?

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Bach5G
Posts: 2874
Joined: Apr 07, 2018

by Bach5G »

Thoughts?

One thought that occurred to me was that if you double tenor and bass, the focal point for tenor might be Bb2 while for bass it might be F2.
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Redthunder
Posts: 294
Joined: Mar 29, 2018

by Redthunder »

[url]https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8434

This book was recently brought up in that thread.

I've used this book extensively as a warmup tool for the past year. I have a handful of exercises I do daily from the book, and I've practiced with my focal points on F4, D4, and Bb3. I also tend to expand many of the chromatic warmups outward beyond the range of the two octaves, so it matters less where I start and more that I continue to maintain good technique for my face.

I can't recommend this book enough. It's no substitute for a lesson with Doug or Dave, but after a few lessons with each of them, this book really helped me iron out the concepts they each showed me.
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norbie2018
Posts: 1051
Joined: Apr 05, 2018

by norbie2018 »

I purchased the Reinhardt Routines several years ago, used them sparingly and put them away. Around 3 months ago I decided to use the routines exclusively as my daily routine with great results.

I recently ordered Focal Point and have incorporated this approach/exercises into my routine. I cannot speak to results as it has only been a couple of weeks.
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Doug_Elliott
Posts: 4155
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by Doug_Elliott »

[quote="Bach5G"]One thought that occurred to me was that if you double tenor and bass, the focal point for tenor might be Bb2 while for bass it might be F2.[/quote]
Starting low on bass is only a good idea after you've spent plenty of time starting in the middle or higher, which tends to set your chops in a much better way.

And no, "middle Bb" is not on the second line. I can't believe the number of bass trombone students who play a low Bb when I ask them to play middle Bb.
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Bach5G
Posts: 2874
Joined: Apr 07, 2018

by Bach5G »

For clarification, the FP book identifies Doug’s “middle Bb” - :space5: - as Bb2 and the F a fourth below as F2.