Mechanics

A FEW TYPE FOUR “PITFALLS”

  • Approaching the embouchure for placement with the instrument angle and the position of the head NOT in their respective playing positions. 
     
  • Lifting the angle of the instrument and simultaneously lowering the position of the head during the inter-phrase inhalations – or, lowering the angle of the instrument and raising the position of the head while so doing during the inter-phrase inhalation. Remember, you are to execute a mouth corner inhalation but not “shift gears”…
     
  • Improper and insufficient lubrication so that permitting the mouthpiece to be seated firmly in the “socket” (on 3 legs) is practically impossible.

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  • Inhaling through the mouth center rather than the mouth corners. This fault always causes disaster eventually.

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  • Permitting the tip of the tongue to penetrate between the teeth and lips during mouthpiece placement.

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  • Permitting the tip of the tongue to penetrate between the teeth and lips during the attacks.

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  • Executing the mouth corner inhalation before the mouthpiece is entirely seated in the socket in the proper manner. Always PLACE-BREATHE-AND BLOW never Breathe-place and blow.

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  • Failure to retrieve the lower lip before the initial attack.

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  • Failure to retrieve the lower lip during each and every inter-phrase inhalation.

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  • If you are a trombonist, get into the habit of reaching out AND DOWN FOR ALL LONGER POSITIONS. This is extremely important!
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  • Too much lower lip flabbiness while forming the embouchure for placement.

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  • Lifting and pulling up the upper lip out from under the rim of the mouthpiece during placement.

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  • Neglecting to “push up” when the counterpuntal peak is reached before descending in a downward progression. This is the downfall of all type IV performers – don’t join this club!

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  • Lifting and pulling up the upper lip out from under the rim of the mouthpiece during the mouthcorner inhalation. This is a very common fault!

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  • Failure to use the LOWER LIP AS THE ANCHOR SPOT AT ALL TIMES!

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  • Too much playing in the middle and lower registers with the jaw too far protruded or too far receded. Both spell trouble!

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  • Excessive body-head-and instrument movement throughout the playing.

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  • UNFORTUNATELY YOU HAVE NOT LOST THE SMILING TO ASCEND HABIT!

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  • Over rapid inhalations…

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  • Failure to adopt the Type 5 tongue for slurring and sustaining.

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  • Failure of the forward and backward pressures to “neutralize”…Chase the horn!

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  • An excessive mouth corner stretch for the inhalation by (next)

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  • Failure to permit the tongue to recede a trifle during the mouth corner inhalation.
     
  • Failure to “stay with the jaw”, especially while descending.

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  • Failure to observe frequent removal of the mouthpiece during restings.

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  • Failure to use sufficiently large equipment to overcome the natural nasalness of the Type Four.

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  • Failure to play many Legato tongue phrases and sustained work when the sound becomes thin and nasal.

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    • Learn to descend correctly (to prevent jaw dropping) with the correct pivot. Emphasize pressing the lower lip.
       

    • Look down, chin in, read between the arms.
       

    • Lower Lip is ANCHOR SPOT, Upper lip is CONTROL POINT.
       

    • Movement is the enemy. For a Type IV, everything is minimized, tonguing, slurring, etc.
       

    • Endurance factor: Short periods of rest throughout all of your playing. A IV as amazing recuperative powers! 
    Advantages: Range, Flexibility, Endurance, Penetrating Power 
    Disadvantages: Thin tone (correctible), Sensitive to movement.

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