Need advice to help 8th grader open up sound

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CBO
Posts: 7
Joined: Oct 18, 2019

by CBO »

I'm doing my part to help populate the world with trombone players but haven't played since High School and am just getting back into playing to help the kids at my sons' school. Any advice for exercises to help an 8th grader open up his sound? The only thing I could find was maybe 3-4 bar long tones with crescendo decrescendos from pp to ff back to pp. Thanks!
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

Problem with long tones and 8th graders is that they won't do them -- it's pretty boring.

Maybe try tunes with the crescendo/decrescendo.

Play the Imperial March from Star Wars LOUD.

Find music they want to play.
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Ted
Posts: 66
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Ted »

My sound opened up when my teacher told me to blow more though the mouthpiece in stead of in the mouthpiece. Or the "imagine a balloon behind the bell, which you want to bow away" metaphor.

Want I want to say, sometimes is just the mindset.
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Adampreav
Posts: 32
Joined: Apr 03, 2020

by Adampreav »

I would make it fun oriented, like playing modern songs together. The odds are they won’t be playing professionally so I wouldn’t try to make them feel like like it’s work. Just play together and have fun that will give them a better chance for playing 10-15 years from now as a hobby
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Kingfan
Posts: 1371
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by Kingfan »

Have you tried getting him to open up his throat?
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VJOFan
Posts: 529
Joined: Apr 06, 2018

by VJOFan »

When I taught band sound development happened through modelling and over a period of time. I played, they played. Praise, correct, I played, they played.

If someone repeatedly hears a good sound and repeatedly sees how that is produced (good breathing, posture, suspension, embouchure formation habits have to be on point all the time), they have will pick it up. The modelling, accompanied by direct and good advice on the basics of breath, embouchure, and suspension will lead to improvement.
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CBO
Posts: 7
Joined: Oct 18, 2019

by CBO »

Thank you all!