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Some players seem to think this is bad conventional wisdom at least, as they found that “dropping the jaw” did not work for them. However, I must start with a spoiler alert. Dropping the jaw into the low range is not a myth, this conventional wisdom is correct. The issue is do you actually drop your jaw? Do you just imagine that you are dropping your jaw?
If you want to see it for yourself, there are MRI and X-ray videos online that confirm the motion of the jaw going into the low range of the horn. In summary,
- The jaw drops markedly below middle C among elite horn players
- Students often have to be convinced to make this “break,” but it is essential
- In the Willis videos you will see her jaw goes down and forward, which is typical of the motion involved
- Say “taw,” this type of motion will be helpful
- You can see this in MRI, but it is easier to see jaw motion in the X-ray videos, as MRI focuses on soft tissues
- The Eli Epstein book (3rd edition) has great illustrations as well.
What I have seen repeated in many horn lessons is students have heard that they need to drop their jaw, they think they are dropping their jaw, but actually they are not doing it! In this case, the conventional wisdom is correct. Of course, it is just one element of many in relation to improving the low range. The low range is highly individualistic, but dropping the jaw ends up being among the most critical elements, along with not being overly relaxed and keeping good contact with the mouthpiece.
In my publication The Low Horn Boot Camp I present a technique for self-study of your jaw motion. It involves taking your hand out of the bell, putting your thumb on your chin, and playing into the low range. Try it! You may be surprised to learn you are not doing what you thought you were. For more on this and many other low range tips see the book.
When the series concludes the topic is mouthpieces
