Quote of the Week–Fox on Tongue Position

Here is a topic that is very important to horn players but little discussed, tongue position changes by register.

We have discussed the fact that the tongue position goes gradually to the “eee” sound in the higher registers. However, when playing in the highest possible range of the instrument, that “eee” tongue position tends to stop getting smaller as it should.

Visualize the “eee” tongue position. The back part of the tongue (that is used to pronounce the “g” in the word “get”) is up near the roof of the mouth, but the tip of the tongue still rests directly down in back of the lower teeth. Sort of like a ski slope. The vowel position can be made still small by consciously lifting the tip of the tongue towards the roof of the mouth. This lifting action now has made the sound box still smaller.

Try singing a high note with the normal “eee” tongue position. As the note is sung, bring the tip of the tongue up towards the roof of the mouth. Notice that the sound now becomes even more pinpointed. The vowel sound has been made increasingly smaller by lifting up the tip of the tongue, a most important adjustment for the very highest notes of the instrument….

Lift the tip of the tongue towards the roof of the mouth and you will find the highest notes easier to play. They will sound better in focus and will continue to contain the importantly consistent ratio of highs and lows. Remember, throughout this whole small-vowel-sound approach the throat must remain open at all times.

Fred Fox, Essentials of Brass Playing, p. 46