Getting rid of a fuzzy tone?

[Aspiringeuphplayer]

My band director tells me often that I have a fuzzy tone and I'm trying to fix it. But I feel like I'm blindly practicing without any direction towards actually solving the problem. Are there any exercises to solve this tone issure of mine or to get a better tone in general?

[davewerden]

Denis Wick has a method. He starts his practice by buzzing on the mouthpiece. He keeps going on just the mouthpiece until his tone is nice and clear. Then he attaches the horn.

So listen to the mp and go for tone. A lot of players only buzz for accuracy of pitch, but tone starts there too! Try to get as clear a tone as possible with good fullness. Of course it will sound a little silly to those around you, but that's the price we pay.

[daruby]

One thing I would add to Dave's comments: "MORE AIR!"

Most euphonium beginners in my experience are thinking "lip buzz" and air stream with a trumpet or trombone concept. This is almost guaranteed to get a thin fuzzy sound. The notion that one is using "big warm air" (like a tubist) and a more relaxed, open embouchure will open up the sound. Combined with a good buzz, it should help get rid of the fuzz.

One last thing, if the player is continuing to play trumpet while learning euphonium, the process of developing embouchure, sound concept, and air support will take even longer.

Doug

[Aspiringeuphplayer]

Thanks. I'm not a beginner, but I was never really taught the fundamentals when I switched to euphonium from trumpet. And now, 4 years later, it's catching up to me. =P I will definitely add mouthpiece buzzing to my practice routine.