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This thesis
presents a study on brass instrumentalists and their bodies. It focuses
on physiological, psychological, perceptual habits learned either from
books, teachers or the player’s own experiences.
The study
concentrates on the way that each player breathes and blows using
muscles in their body to make a sound. It looks at the way that air is
blown through the aperture and the manipulation of the aperture with
embouchure and mouthpiece.
The variation in
embouchure manipulation, tongue level, air speed, space between teeth
and awareness of the body were also studied. Many players and teachers
have their own knowledge of methods and were very protective of them,
thinking that their way was the only way.
The study tries to
prove that all brass instrumentalists and people in general are
different and that not all people should or in fact, can use the same
method.
I studied six
individual brass players of differing ages, abilities, backgrounds and
perceived knowledge. Results
of my studies showed that individual people had individual problems, as
each of us is entirely different. It is not possible to derive a
technique, which is equally useful for everyone. I have also presented
some evidences to prove that different teachers and performers used a
certain method and advocated that every player should play the same way.
Some players have
little knowledge of what they do or how they play. This has never been
of interest to them as they have never had any obstacles to their
playing. This study has perhaps made them think about their technique
and the way that they play their instrument.
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