can anyone advice me on how to practice tonguing because mine's really bad, as in, the notes sound like they are joined together and they are not clear at all. next, is there anyway that i can improve my stamina, and my embochure, i get tired out real quick. and how do you learn to pitch high notes. when you play, is half of your lower lip supposed to be behind your upperlip? when you tongue, is your tongue supposed to knock the top of your jaw, the top , middle or bottom of your front teeth?

To start tonguing, practise the syllabul "taa" - you might have been taught this already but keep practising as your sound will improve.

Stamina comes with practise. Try mouthpiece buzzing. Hold the mouthpiece at the end of the shaft to stop pressure and buzz for 30 seconds at a time. Do this for 5 minutes at the beginning of every practise.

Your embouchure is what ever is comfortable to you. For range work try and play c maj scale but start from the top of the scale and go down then up again. Keep practising this until all the notes are correct. Then go up a semitone (Db) and play that scale and keep going. This will build up your range.

I hope this helps and I hope you're not one of my pupils!!!!!!!

Andy

haha..don't worry..im not one of your pupils..but since everybody's anonymous online who knows right? haha..hmm..when you play the scales how long should you hold each note by the way to build stamina in playing for long periods of time? thanx for your advice. is it advisable to buzz frequently even while not practicing? oh ya..by the way, some how i can't exactly say 'ta' while im playing, as in..my tongue is kind of 'stiff' and i don't really know how to control it while playing..

what is the shaft? is the the hole at the end of the mouthpiece? do you cover it while buzzing>?

SCALES - When playing the scales play each note for four beats at a moderate tempo - not too fast. You can then play for two beats then one beat per note. Remember posture, relax then breathe. Set the mouthpiece on the embouchure then play (easy eh!!)

BUZZING - Hold the mouthpiece like you would hold a dart right at the end of the mouthpiece. If you can say "ta" without the mouthpiece then when you buzz say "taaaaaaaaa". Its the initial "t" which will produce a better note. Don't cover up the hole at the end - that will make it too easy.

There are some excellent web sites on this subject - Doug Yeo's web site has to be the best
Doug Yeo Web Site

good luck

Andy

To practise tonguing, without the mouthpiece say: d-d-d-d-d.... at a moderate speed, and try it to different rhythms - that's what I've been told and it seems to help. It doesn't even need to be really fast because it is still building up the muscle, and you can do it any time whether you have your instrument with you or not.