Serious articulation issue

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Peergynd
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Serious articulation issue

Post by Peergynd »

Hello tubists,
I'm playing the F tuba some years now and I have develop an issue with my articulation at some specific notes in the middle range.

The notes are those who are close to C(above open F) like B,Bd, C# and D, C included. The problem is that when I tongue the notes by releasing my tongue the note is very dirty, like double buzz. This happen only at the articulation point. After that the note is ok. The attack moment is the problem. Like the tongue and the air don't cooperate well. The weird thing is that I don't have this issue with other notes at lower or higher ranges.
I've tried many things like changing my lips, my tongue, mouthpiece position etc, the problem still there. Me and my teacher can't understand what is happening...
If anyone has some advice I will really appreciate it.


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bloke
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by bloke »

You could call me.
I don’t teach, but I will talk with you for a few minutes, if you’re interested in what I have to say.

My phone number can be found on the Facebook business link.
Peergynd
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Peergynd »

bloke wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:41 pm You could call me.
I don’t teach, but I will talk with you for a few minutes, if you’re interested in what I have to say.

My phone number can be found on the Facebook business link.
Thank you for your answer. Unfortunately is a little unpractical to call you in the US, I'm from Greece. Although I'm very interested in what you have to say. Could you please write it?
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bloke
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by bloke »

are you on Facebook, and can you make a Facebook call?
Peergynd
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Peergynd »

bloke wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 7:28 pm are you on Facebook, and can you make a Facebook call?
I'm not on facebook or any social media but I use viber and signal if this works...
Otherwise I'll use some friend's facebook to call you.
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bloke
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by bloke »

If you are seven hours ahead of central daylight time in the USA, you might call me someday around 4 PM (9 AM here) and we’ll talk for a few minutes.
Send me a message a day ahead, and I’ll try to have my cell phone at hand.

In the past, I’ve encountered the same thing you have in my own playing (same length instrument), and I suspect I know the causes, though I also admit that I could be wrong.
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Mary Ann
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Mary Ann »

Come on, Joe, spill the beans!
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Peergynd »

bloke wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:52 am
Thank you. I'll find some friend with fb to call you. I'll let you know with PM.
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Peergynd »

I'll leave here a sound sample of what is happening. This is my today's Dd :
Last edited by Peergynd on Fri Dec 02, 2022 6:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pauvog1
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Pauvog1 »

Could well be an articulation technique issue. Admittedly, I did not listen to the audio sample with head phones, but just through my phone speaker.

Hear is a thought,

Do you have the same issue on a different instrument?

If not, I wonder if your instrument needs to be cleaned and/or regulated/serviced?

Edit: I don't think instrument maintenance is the main problem, sent the OP a PM
Last edited by Pauvog1 on Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Pauvog1 »

Pauvog1 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:36 am Could well be an articulation technique issue. Admittedly, I did not listen to the audio sample with head phones, but just through my phone speaker.

Hear is a thought,

Do you have the same issue on a different instrument?

If not, I wonder if your instrument needs to be cleaned and/or regulated/serviced?
I went back and listened with headphones. Will send PM.
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Peergynd
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Peergynd »

Pauvog1 wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:36 am
I've tried different instrument and different mouthpiece. Still there... This issue is sometimes fixed (without changing my technique) and sometimes is getting much worse like the sound sample I uploaded.
The fact is I can't understand which is my fault to fix it... I think it's a mix: air pressure- tongue and a little embochure, but again where do I start?

Reply sent to PM.
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Mary Ann
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Re: Serious articulation issue

Post by Mary Ann »

I'll be curious what bloke tells you.
When I have had that issue on tuba, I need to stick one lip out farther, or change the angle of the mouthpiece. Which lip depends on your embouchure. Something to mess with. These things change without you realizing it, and then you have a new problem when you haven't changed anything.
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