Mahler 5 help

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i3est
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Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:49 pm

Mahler 5 help

Post by i3est »

so, in my local youth orchestra I have to play the trombone 1 part on a bass trombone. I dont really have access to a tenor horn either. I play on a 1g mouthpecice but I found an extra 6 1/2 which helps a lot. Any tips to help me on this? Is it worth to invest in a smaller mouthpiece?
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BGuttman
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Re: Mahler 5 help

Post by BGuttman »

You should be OK with the 6.5 AL. Now if your chops are up to the task, that is another matter.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
i3est
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Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:49 pm

Re: Mahler 5 help

Post by i3est »

BGuttman wrote: Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:32 am You should be OK with the 6.5 AL. Now if your chops are up to the task, that is another matter.
Any tips on helping me be able to get better tone and sustain up there? I can hit all the notes they just dont sound very good. When I start to use more air than I am the sound becomes to sound very chainsaw like or splits.
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BGuttman
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Re: Mahler 5 help

Post by BGuttman »

It's possible the 6.5 AL is a bit too small for you.

Do you have access to something like a 4G or 5G?

I'm sure the 1G you play for bass trombone is WAY too big. Bet you even have intonation issues above the bass staff ;)
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
i3est
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:49 pm

Re: Mahler 5 help

Post by i3est »

BGuttman wrote: Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:49 am It's possible the 6.5 AL is a bit too small for you.

Do you have access to something like a 4G or 5G?

I'm sure the 1G you play for bass trombone is WAY too big. Bet you even have intonation issues above the bass staff ;)
I could always buy one, but I dont want to if i only use it for this once. I'll I can get up to an A above the staff before my intunation starts to go off.
i3est
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:49 pm

Re: Mahler 5 help

Post by i3est »

BGuttman wrote: Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:49 am It's possible the 6.5 AL is a bit too small for you.

Do you have access to something like a 4G or 5G?

I'm sure the 1G you play for bass trombone is WAY too big. Bet you even have intonation issues above the bass staff ;)
Also thank you for the help!
hyperbolica
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Re: Mahler 5 help

Post by hyperbolica »

Follow this link https://www.brassexcerpts.com/trombone/ ... hony-no-5/
and find one of the recordings that you like. I prefer the Concertgebouw and the Vienna Phil recordings. To me, the Chicago recording is a little out of control on that G# that really stands out. He's swinging for the fences. You need to back off and play it as loud as you can with a nice sound, and in tune of course. I'm not sure why you're trying to play this on a big mouthpiece with a bass bone. I'd talk to your teacher or the conductor about this. It really should be played on a tenor with a mouthpiece that you've got a good bit of practice on. And you need a good section sound with this too.

If you get some equipment that you're not familiar with, spend as much time on it getting familiar and developing your sound/intonation as you can before the rehearsals and performance. To me, a 5G on a 42b sized horn would be a good choice. The B is less important than you might thing. It has to be there, and in tune, but there are other instruments on that note. the following G# and the rest of the lick are what you really have to nail.

Best of luck.
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