Are long tones useful? The predominant tendency, while holding a long tone, would usually be to increase playing pressure, tighten the embouchure, or unconsciously activate various improper actions as one continues to hold the tone. If one can manage to maintain proper ease of playing pressure, etc., it may be worthwhile, yet I really cannot see what value […]
Author: Chester Schmitz
My Greatest Symphony Hall Event
My Greatest Symphony Hall Event……. It was January, 1973, and I was practicing on my Alexander CC tuba in the large tuning room right off the stage in Symphony Hall. It was vacation period so no one else was in the building, save for the man at the stage door. I was all alone, and […]
Long tones…..useful?
Long tones are good, if the sound is good. I have my doubts about the value of bad sounds being held for a long time.
Canadian Brass Spectacular 1989
Remembering the tour in 1989 with the wonderful Canadian Brass, and the marvelous artists in the NY Phil and the BSO.
Air — Getting It — 2
Some more here for you wind instrument players. Continuing on the subject of Getting Air. I have discovered THREE WAYS of getting the air into the lungs, so that it can be blown forth through your instrument. 1. “normal” breathing 2. “sniffing” between notes while playing 3. cyclical, or, circular breathing. 1. “Normal” […]
Mstislav Rostropovich…… Masterful Musician
During my formative years I listened to classical music day and night. It was the love of my life back then. Among my favorite performers I had a “Special Three”, whose recordings I collected and enjoyed over and over. I think their music got into my head and influenced me a great deal. One of […]
Air — Getting It — 1
AIR OK. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject of AIR. There are two things we should know about air, if we are to use it to make music, either by playing a wind instrument or by singing: 1. How to get it, and, 2. How to use it. At this point, let […]
“Tubby” with Julia Childs, Fiedler and Boston Pops
Early on during my tenure with the Pops, I experienced what was to be one of the highlights of my entire career — playing the part of “Tubby” in “Tubby the Tuba” with the one and only “French Chef,” Julia Childs, with Arthur Fiedler himself conducting the Boston Pops. This program was one of the […]