Just ordered DVD

cv1gold · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject: Just ordered DVD

Hi All,

I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks but finally registered. I've had Bahb's material since early Oct and have been practicing daily.

With so much confusion regarding tongue position and so many posts saying to take a lesson w/Jerry I decided to order his DVD, which comes with a free lesson.

My low C to high C notes seemed to be popping out just fine but I could not grasp the concept of less air (I studied w/Claude Gordon - "chest up big breath", and Bobby Shew who teaches the wedge breath). A couple of days ago I made a breakthrough, after watching Jim Manley on Youtube and now the High C and up range end is working.

The big but...is still a question of tongue position. The tip of my tongue anchors on the cutting edge of my bottom teeth and touches the top of the bottom lip, but by some accounts the tip should be in front (of the bottom teeth). When trying that position, all notes low C - F# really pop, but everything else gets fuzzy. So, is this where I need to start? Or should I stay where I am at and keep trying to expand range at both ends.

Thanks

markchuvala · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:11 am Post subject:

Hey man sounds like you're on the right path!

Tip of tongue ontop maybe a little over bottom teeth is the way I play. For me the hard part is a WIDE forward tongue, not a thin pointed tongue.

Keeping the mid-ish tongue connected behind the top teeth and raised to roof of my mouth (as it feels to me) was the most difficult part.

With the tongue raised thick covering everything, almost NO air is needed to escape your mouth to produce a tone. Too much air caused too much compression and choke happens.

This with RELAXED no tension chops, no stretching, or puckering. A tuck of the bottom lip in against the tongue, and under (a little) the top lip is my set up. Kinda like a parrot.

Hope that helps, it helped me....
-M

cv1gold · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject: Thanks Mark

I appreciate the description. Tonguing off the roof of the mouth is not unfamiliar to me, as Claude Gordon taught that method, (but with tip anchored behind bottom teeth).

Day by day things seem to be progressing thanks to you and all the other posters in this great forum. I had to drive many miles today, and really worked on the spit-buzz. I can't wait for tomorrow as that will be my first chance to play lead since TCE started working a little for me...

goldenhornplayer · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:45 am Post subject: Re: Thanks Mark

cv1gold · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:07 am Post subject: Goldenhorn

Thanks for your reply. I guess I should have been more specific (perhaps this is wrong too) but for TCE the flat part of my tongue, approx 1" back from the tip contacts the cutting edge of my upper teeth.

The sides of the tongue, further back from the articulation point, are sort of wedged against the molars. As I ascend into the upper register, more of the sides of the tongue press against the top teeth until the area from molars to close to the cutting teeth are wedged. At that point the tip area is (in my mind) is like a slide or chute for the airstream leading thru the aperture into the MP.

Right or wrong, all commentary is welcome. I just want to be more efficient.

goldenhornplayer · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: Goldenhorn

cv1gold · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ken,

I plan to call Jerome. According to the website a free lesson is included with the DVD. Thanks for your help.

goldenhornplayer · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:21 am Post subject:

digs · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

It's been my experience that when I have the sensation that my tongue is wedging up tighter toward the molars (a little far back as Ken describes) it's because my jaw is not staying open enough. If I focus a bit on opening the jaw, the contact with the molars seems to ease up.

Dirk

goldenhornplayer · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:52 am Post subject: