Building Strength and High Range
I've been short-winded all my life (even before I started smoking, and in spite of the fact that 1) I haven't smoked since 1972, and 2) I'm a middle-distance bicycle rider. Two-octave scales ascending and descending are not quite doable for me.
I do a one-octave ascending scale with a hold on the top note, and then a 7-8-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 descent. I start this on a low Eb, and take it up chromatically until I'm bouncing off a high C or Db at the top.
Then I play through whatever familiar hymn tune comes to my head, starting on a low key and taking it chromatically up until I can't go any higher.
Another thing I do to work the extremes of the range is to do a 5-8 (hold)-5-3-1 and on down into the pedal range. On a good night I can start from a high Bb and go to and hold a high Eb. The Eb ain't pretty, but if I can do that, I should be to do a Db that's sort of pretty.
One of my tuba-playing friends in the community band is always challenging me on pedal notes. It will be interesting how that works out after the Schiller arrives.
David Bjornstad
1923 Conn New Wonder 86I, Bach 6 1/2 AL
2018 Wessex EP100 Dolce, Denis Wick 4ABL
2013 Jinbao JBEP-1111L, Denis Wick 4AM
2015 Jinbao JBBR-1240, Denis Wick clone mouthpiece of unknown designation
Cullman (AL) Community Band (Euph Section Leader)
Brass Band of Huntsville (2nd Bari)