Affordable Buzz Aids

ttf_bonedaddy66.2 · Post by **ttf_bonedaddy66.2** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:00 am

Hello everyone, I am trying to find an affordable buzz aid. I don't have a lot of extra cash lying around. The ones that I have found so far, are for me, a little pricey. Seems they start around $60-$70, and go up to $125 and more. Right now, I would be comfortable paying $30-$50 total. One I looked at online was $29, but then wanted $36 for shipping. Isn't there anywhere in the States that sells them. I'm not really picky on which one I'd buy, but I have looked at the Buzzard, the Buzz R, and the Upsound. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ttf_SethMatrix · Post by **ttf_SethMatrix** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:43 am

Quote from: bonedaddy66.2 on Jan 07, 2018, 05:00AMHello everyone, I am trying to find an affordable buzz aid. I don't have a lot of extra cash lying around. The ones that I have found so far, are for me, a little pricey. Seems they start around $60-$70, and go up to $125 and more. Right now, I would be comfortable paying $30-$50 total. One I looked at online was $29, but then wanted $36 for shipping. Isn't there anywhere in the States that sells them. I'm not really picky on which one I'd buy, but I have looked at the Buzzard, the Buzz R, and the Upsound. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

A clear plastic tube from your local lowe's or menards would do it. Just bring your mouthpiece in and test it out on some tubes.

A BERP is good because you can put it in the horn and the transfer is more direct- though I cut the end off my BERP because I prefer the less resistance.

You can also just cup your hands around the mouthpiece. That's as adjustable as it gets!

ttf_anonymous · Post by **ttf_anonymous** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:03 am

At Home Depot they sell clear plastic tubing in the plumbing section. Like Seth said, take your mouthpiece to get the right size. I believe it should be 1/2 inch. The tubing is sold as a 10 foot piece. Cut off 1 foot and you have tubing the same length as a trombone.

Also, you can get a piece of pvc piping at about 1 foot long that is suppose to work as a buzz aid.

Or maybe a removable leadpipe?

Please note, I have not tried any of the above. Just repeating info I've found over the many searches of the forum I've done.

ttf_Ellrod · Post by **ttf_Ellrod** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:59 am

R Sauer talks about the DIY Focused Aperture Resistance Trainer (FART) device.

Find a hardware store that sells PVC tubing . Its usually used for small irrigation systems and in smaller hardware stores is sold by the foot, usually about $1/ft. You only need about 9. Youll need the 1/2 inner diameter size (it will be a little tight for large shank mpcs, a little loose for small shank mpcs). Youll want to drill a hole (1/4 in diameter) in one side (not through both sides) about 4 in from the end you will insert the mpc in. Insert mpc. Youre done. According to RS, it provides approximately the same resistance as a horn. YMMV.

Total cost: $1

ttf_Pre59 · Post by **ttf_Pre59** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:43 pm

I've been using the Buzzard since they first became available in Europe. I use it in such a way that I'm fully warmed up by the time I plug into the horn, and I've come back from a holiday or a non Tbn tour/cruise with a better lip than I had when I left.

It's not just great for the embouchure but for breath control as well. Slow melodies played in unison with a keyboard are a killer..

ttf_johnstad · Post by **ttf_johnstad** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:51 pm

I use this one...works great. Its easy to put on and remove from the Horn.

http://www.brassbuzzer.com

ttf_MikeBMiller · Post by **ttf_MikeBMiller** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 8:11 am

California just legalized all kinds of buzz aids.

ttf_timothy42b · Post by **ttf_timothy42b** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 8:26 am

Why not just learn to free-buzz?

ttf_Pre59 · Post by **ttf_Pre59** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 8:34 am

Quote from: timothy42b on Jan 08, 2018, 08:26AMWhy not just learn to free-buzz?

Been there, done it, sometimes still do it..

ttf_bonearzt · Post by **ttf_bonearzt** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 8:47 am

I just use my mouthpiece with no obstruction on the shank end.

Eric

ttf_BGuttman · Post by **ttf_BGuttman** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:00 am

Quote from: bonearzt on Jan 08, 2018, 08:47AMI just use my mouthpiece with no obstruction on the shank end.

Eric

Sometimes I need to add a little resistance by covering the shank partway using a finger. I always consider that a crutch that must be removed and I'll keep reducing the amount of finger coverage.

ttf_bonearzt · Post by **ttf_bonearzt** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:13 am

Agreed!
The only time I need a little resistance is when I try to buzz low! But I still try to go as low as I can with no resistance.

ttf_wgwbassbone · Post by **ttf_wgwbassbone** » Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:21 am

Free buzzing is okay but buzzing into a spirometer with adjustable resistance is better for me. Our mouthpieces go into a lead pipes that provide some resistance regardless of what setup we use. Just my 2 cents.

ttf_wayne88ny · Post by **ttf_wayne88ny** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 12:56 am

I have 2 "Buzzarella" aids (small & large shank) made by Chuck McAlexander that I'd be wiling to sell for a reasonable price. Send me an email or pm if you're interested.

www.thebrasslab.com/products/buzzarella

ttf_Blowero · Post by **ttf_Blowero** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 1:30 am

Take an old mouthpiece, get a hacksaw, cut about half of the cup off, leaving the rim intact. Voila!

ttf_Pre59 · Post by **ttf_Pre59** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 1:57 am

Quote from: bonedaddy66.2 on Jan 07, 2018, 05:00AM Right now, I would be comfortable paying $30-$50 total.

There you go, $30.

http://www.warburtonstore.com/buzzard1.html

ttf_JGordon · Post by **ttf_JGordon** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:00 am

I currently use a Buzzard. Before I got it I used an extra trombone lead pipe. I think I like the Buzzard better. It is smaller, it feels better in my hand and it is a little easier with which to travel. A piece of flexible tubing would probably also work.

I warm up on the buzzard and mouthpiece every day. The truth is, I am not absolutely clear why I do that. I guess I have heard from good players that it is a good thing to do so I do it. However, the funny part is that the Buzzard is advertised as (more or less) duplicating the resistance of a horn. If that is true, then why not just use the horn? I have taken a mouthpiece and the Buzzard with me on trips when taking the horn is not feasible and I think using the device helps to keep my chops from completely falling apart during a break from the horn.

ttf_Pre59 · Post by **ttf_Pre59** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 12:22 pm

Quote from: JGordon on Jan 13, 2018, 09:00AMI currently use a Buzzard. Before I got it I used an extra trombone lead pipe. I think I like the Buzzard better. It is smaller, it feels better in my hand and it is a little easier with which to travel. A piece of flexible tubing would probably also work.

I warm up on the buzzard and mouthpiece every day. The truth is, I am not absolutely clear why I do that. I guess I have heard from good players that it is a good thing to do so I do it. However, the funny part is that the Buzzard is advertised as (more or less) duplicating the resistance of a horn. If that is true, then why not just use the horn? I have taken a mouthpiece and the Buzzard with me on trips when taking the horn is not feasible and I think using the device helps to keep my chops from completely falling apart during a break from the horn.

Do you think that the Buzzard has a kind of Bb preference? It feels like there's a top Bb ceiling with a B above that doesn't quite slot as well. Why not just use the horn? To avoid the early stages of the warm-up on the horn, and transfer some of the "coal face" exercises away as well. Using it with a keyboard and a metronome playing unison lines at different tempos can also be effective, being mindful of intonation. I think that it's important to play it to pitch at all times.

I've tried most of the other buzz aids, pipes, free-buzzing, but if I find anything better (for me) then I'll go with it.

ttf_JGordon · Post by **ttf_JGordon** » Sat Jan 13, 2018 3:44 pm

Quote from: Pre59 on Jan 13, 2018, 12:22PMDo you think that the Buzzard has a kind of Bb preference? It feels like there's a top Bb ceiling with a B above that doesn't quite slot as well....

I'm not sure I fully understand this question. My range on the Buzzard/Mouthpiece is approximately the same as on my horn. When I get higher then the note I call a high Bb

I find that I need to remember to put more air through the device. The notes above that Bb take a little more effort, but I'm not sure I would use the word "ceiling" with regard to them. However, my range is never spectacular. I can hit the high F

pretty reliably in warm-up on my horn and can squeak out a Bb above that -- but in actual playing situations I am insecure about that high F. The range on the Buzzard is not dramatically different for warm-up but, of course, I never perform on the Buzzard!.

ttf_Pre59 · Post by **ttf_Pre59** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 2:11 am

Quote from: JGordon on Jan 13, 2018, 03:44PMI'm not sure I fully understand this question. My range on the Buzzard/Mouthpiece is approximately the same as on my horn. When I get higher then the note I call a high Bb

I find that I need to remember to put more air through the device. The notes above that Bb take a little more effort, but I'm not sure I would use the word "ceiling" with regard to them. However, my range is never spectacular. I can hit the high F

pretty reliably in warm-up on my horn and can squeak out a Bb above that -- but in actual playing situations I am insecure about that high F. The range on the Buzzard is not dramatically different for warm-up but, of course, I never perform on the Buzzard!.

It's not an absolute ceiling, but one where it seems to change, and as I do my high note ex's on the horn anyway it's not an issue, more of an observation. I do think that it has a Bb bias though, or even resonant frequency due to its length unlike say, the BERP.

ttf_Doug Elliott · Post by **ttf_Doug Elliott** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 9:01 am

Anything other than freebuzzing or rim buzzing has a resonance frequency. On a mouthpiece you're buzzing below and up to the fundamental which is what feels like a ceiling. That's when you're getting the maximum resonance feedback help to sustain the vibration.

ttf_Doug Elliott · Post by **ttf_Doug Elliott** » Sun Jan 14, 2018 9:01 am

Anything other than freebuzzing or rim buzzing has a resonance frequency. On a mouthpiece you're buzzing below and up to the fundamental which is what feels like a ceiling. That's when you're getting the maximum resonance feedback help to sustain the vibration.