THE LOW BRASS PLAYER’S

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

John Mueller, DMA-University of Memphis
December 2009 The Midwest Clinic

“THE MORTAL SINS”

I. Bad Posture/Instrument Position

• Low Brass Ergonomics: Instrument to player
• Finding and Maintaining the Neutral Position

II.Incorrect or Unnatural Breathing

• Keep it Natural

• Creating the Right Result- external focus

• Body Mapping

III. Misformed Embouchure

• Embouchure: the “Brass Players Bridge”

Innocent Beginnings:
• Correct Formation of Embouchure
“Jammin’ on the Front Porch”
• Common Problems

“SECONDARY SINS”
IV. Improper Air Speed VI. Improper Articulation
• Airflow Vs. Mouthpiece Pressure
• Changing air speed with register • Air & tongue stroke
• Switching from High to Low Brass • Controlling note shape

• The Beneficial Smear

V.Incorrect Mouth Formation
VII.Bad Sound Concept
• Focus on the vowel
• Aural image
• Monitor Tension
• Jazz & Orchestra Concept
| jtmuellr@memphis.cdu |
 THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS PAGE 2

“MARCHING BAND DILEMMA”

Presentation vs. Good

Posture & Technique
• Tension: Nip it in the bud!
• Relaxation drills & posture resets
• DCI and your Low Brass
• Euphonium Quick fix: go “Old School”

“RESOURCES”

Brass Performance and Pedagogy; Keith Johnson;
Prentice Hall
The Breathing Gym; Sam Pilafian & Pat Sheridan;
www.breathinggym.com
The Breathing Book; David Vining; Mountain Peak
Music
A Complete Guide to Brass, Third Edition; Scott
Whitener; Schirmer
Guide to the Euphonium Repertoire: The Euphonium
Source Book (Indiana Repertoire Guides); Lloyd Bone,
Eric Paull; R.Winston Morris, editior
Guide to the Tuba Repertoire, Second Edition: The New
Tuba Source Book (Indiana Repertoire Guides); R.
Winston Morris editor
Jazz Conception Series; Jim Snidero; various
instruments; easy, intermediate, advanced;
jimsnidero.com
Practical Hints on Playing the Baritone (Euphonium);
Brian Bowman & James D. Ployhar; Alfred Publishing
The Remington Warm-ups; ed. Hunsberger, Accura
Music
Song & Wind; Arnold Jacobs/Brian Fredrickson;
Windsong Press
The Trombonists Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to
Playing and Teaching the Trombone; Reginald Fink;
Accura Music

(901)678-3780 jtmuellr@memphis.edu memphis.edu/music