Beginning Band Baritones

[nafmeadmin]

I have two baritone students starting out this year. I consider myself a capable baritone teacher (having majored in Tuba in college and playing Euphonium in the Tuba/Euph ensemble for a couple semesters) but I am lost right now! Both my students are REALLY flat- a huge half step. What can I do to help them correct this! I play with them sometimes to have a reference point to listen to but they still don’t match and that doesn’t help them practicing at home. Plus, as a 10 year old, I can barely be sure they practice the right fingers/rhythms at home let alone practice intonation.

[nafmeadmin]

That is really odd??? Have you checked the instrument to make sure it isn’t the problem? I would play the instrument to make sure that it plays in tune. Are they puffing their cheeks?

[nafmeadmin]

No cheek puffing. I show them a video of Dizzy Gillespie that scares them away from that! haha. Even if the instruments are bad, though, is there anything I can do to raise the pitch even a little? These kids aren’t going to be able to get new instruments and my school supported repair place is useless.

[nafmeadmin]

are the tubings the correct ones in the instrument? Someone didn’t put in a different tuning slide or something like that did they? I don’t see how they could be that out of tune?? I have never had that problem ever!

[nafmeadmin]

Baritone has way more ability to lip out of tune then Trumpet or trombone. I have had several students start on Baritone and struggle to get a firm enough embouchure to get pitch up. Corners of the embouchure need to be set and firm to keep the embouchure in line with pitch center. Have them work on high range even if it is really pinched and then use that type of embouchure to play mid and low range. This should help the pitch come up. Good Luck

[nafmeadmin]

Are they flat across every note? I’ve had that issue before with mainly the lowest notes (low B-flat or lower), but not across the board.

Have you had them play with a clear mouthpiece to see what things look like on the inside of the rim? Sometimes I’ve found that to be helpful. If corners are the issue, then I have students blow through a straw (or a coffee stirrer) to feel what it is like to hold their corners firm. Some students don’t seem to understand how to control the muscles until they do something else like the straw. After that, I tell them to blow into the mouthpiece just as if it was the straw. Usually they’ll produce a decent buzz or tone at that point.

[nafmeadmin]

Having the students firm up on the embouchure can help, or even playing with slight changes in mp angle or position. Though this all depends on the child’s physicality. I have had similar problems with a student, though it was this instrument. Are the mouth pieces fitting into the receiver properly? If the shank doesn’t go in the proper depth, they will always be flat, or sharp. Try having the students buzz pitches along with you, and model for them proper embouchure techniques. Hope you can resolve this.

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