Hey everyone.

California all state CD's are due by December, and I need some help. I made a video of myself playing a scale exercise from Arbans and playing Rochut Etude #1. I did this so that you guys could give me advice on my different articulations. What I'm having the most trouble with is getting rid of slide noise with my legato tonguing. I also noticed from watching myself play is that my instrument moves a lot... Like the bell moves when I change positions. I'm sure it's from using too much force when moving the slide, but I can't seem to get it to move fast enough without jerking it. If you guys have any other constructive criticism, go ahead. I only took 2 takes of each though, and I know the intonation on the etude is not the greatest...

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLElmY4lnXs

I wish I could have seen more of your slide technique.
I find that you are too tense. You shoudl relax a bit more and I would change your left hand position.

Your right hand position I can't see. You mentioned slide noise, using too much force, and not moving the slide fast enough. There is exactly where you problem is. When you try and move it fast you get out of synch and you JAM your slide into it's next position.

I can't see your right hand but I suspect it is not smooth and rounded. Imagine your arm, wrist and fingers hugging a ball or tree. They should be rounded or sloped. Then learn to wait. Know what position you are going to go to and don't go to that next position until you have to. Wait until the last moment you can without being late. This will help synch your lips, with your tongue, with your breath, and with your hand position.

This will be a good starting place.

John, I have to wonder why you'd tell this guy to change his left hand position? What would you change about it? Why?
I agree he seems to be gripping the horn for dear life, but other than that, I see little wrong with the way he's holding the horn.
Unfortunately, as you said, his problems seem to be with the slide hand, and that is the hand we can not see.
I'm not going to tell you how to fix your problem over the internet. This is stuff best left to a teacher in person. I will say consider a two finger slide grip (thumb on back, index and middle finger on front) and try to relax as much as possible. As they teach in martial arts, tension is the enemy, and it can only slow you down. Other than that, find a private teacher if you don't already have one. There should be plenty in your area.
I will however implore you not to do all this work on technique at the expense of the music. Right now it just sounds very rigid and mechanical. Even when doing scales, try to make it sing, give the lines some direction. Approach the Rochut as if you were singing it. It is a vocalise after all. Great musicality can often make the audition committee overlook a few technical issues.

At first glance I would guess two things.

However, first, I would say the best.. no, the only.. thing you should do is go see a teacher who can work with you in person. Someone who can see everything going on, and give you different ideas to try right there.

That being said, here are some ideas to tool around with. You look very rigid, and when you move the slide, you look like you are using way too much force to do so. Like Steve said, tension is never good. The whole right side of your body (as much as I can see, anyway) is way to tense.

The first thing I would think of when I see this (and I do see it in my students from time to time) is, "Is your slide lubed?" If you can hear the slide at all when you move it without playing, or if it takes any more force than simply moving your arm through the air effortlessly, it's not slick enough and will give you that choppy feel, which will be portrayed in your playing.

A good test for your slide is this: Hold your horn out with the slide parallel to the ground. Slowly (very) lower the slide end towards the ground, and estimate how many inches the slide bumper lowers before the slide moves out on its own. On an excellent slide, it should move at between 2-3 inches from parallel.

First off, kudos on putting yourself up on the chopping block!!!

I agree about not being able to see what you are doing. Part of diagnosing the problem is understanding what is happening physically while you are playing.

Are you using a light articulation when you play legato? Or are you trying to use natural slurs with absolutely no tongue. If you are trying to use natural slurs, you will never get the scooping sound out of the equation.

Why does your embouchure puff with each articulation, are you articulating with your embouchure?

Does your slide have any dents, ANYWHERE?

Do you use slide cream or *cringe* valve oil?

Good luck.

-Raul

First off a nice sound for being so tense.

Second Steve asked why I would change the left hand. I would change the left hand because presently it is a death grip. There is nothing wrong with holding the index finger against the mouthpiece however, the grip is so tight you are actually pulling the insturment into your face and pushing the instrument to your right, instead of leaving it centered. As said also by Steve (who I respect highly!)try holding the instrument balanced like a martial arts position. relaxed and centered. This should ease tension in the left hand. If you keep a death grip like that your bell will go right when you push out to longer positions and your bell will go left when you pull your slide in to shorter positions(which is what we see in the video)

Again, although we cannot see the right hand. Based on the movement of the bell and seeing your shoulders move the way they do there again is too much tension. And frankly I am impressed you play the exercise at that tempo you do. I can imagine how much quicker you could do it if relaxed.

If you can try and watch videos of Bill Watrous.

Here is a great exercise to learn strength through relaxation. I use this with my students often. Get a freind or family member to help you with this exercise. Part one - make a fist with your hand and hold it as tight as you can. Then have someone try and open up your hand - they will succeed. Step two - make a fist and relax your hand muscles and forearm muscles while maintaining the shape of the fist. Again, have somone try and open the hand - they will not be able to if your are relaxed.

John