Sharp Schiller

[seabrook]

I have a new C/Bb Schiller that appears to blow sharp on several
valves when the spit needs to be evacuated (before I get the
bubbling sound). Does this make any sense? Anyone else
experience this?
Thanks,
Dick S.

[RickF]

No, that doesn't make sense to me. I've not ever experienced on any horn.

[ghmerrill]

Just a wild idea, but ...

You may have the cause and effect backwards. That is, it may not be that the excess water is causing the sharpness, but that the excess water is being caused by how you're playing the instrument -- and you're playing it in such a way (embouchure, breath support, etc.) that you're putting more water into it, and THIS (embouchure, breath support, ...) is causing the sharpness AND the excess water.

I mention this because I've been working with my new bass trombone recently and noticed that I was getting a LOT of condensation/water in it -- having to empty through the water valve very frequently. Much more than when I play tuba or euphonium. But this has disappeared as I've settled on the mouthpiece I want and have developed a better embouchure on the trombone. The high condensation has gone away. And of course the sound and intonation have gotten better as well.

So just a thought, but I'd suggest directing your attention to your embouchure and breath control to see if you're doing something wonky with the new instrument and maybe trying to force things (especially in the high register). If you're playing with a tight embouchure, then that's your problem -- assuming there isn't something fundamentally wrong with the instrument.

[Euphearted]

Hijacking the thread here, but how "tight" is "just right tight"? My tone and power on my New Standard are much better than they ever were with my Conn 30i, but they still do not approach what I hear on Youtube. I thought perhaps my embouchure was not tight enough (like maybe I should pull the corners further back?), but I find I have to drain water on the N.S. more often than I think I should.

[TheJH]

I have it backwards, When I get a new instrument I hardly get any condensation and/or spit, but after a week or two it's just as normal - emptying the tubes and spit gutter whenever I have the chance. There's always a huge pond of water next to my music stand XD

Also, when I got my 1979 Besson Sovereign, the concert E and F where off-the-charts sharp, but now (after a good month) they're fine. It also has a lot to do with getting used to an instruments 'character' and the instrument 'settling' in. And keep that embouchure strong. I noticed last wednesday at band practice that these notes started to go sharp again, after I did not play on it for a week. Also, I didn't play for the three days before that wednesday. So basically, just keep playing and you'll notice what's the case.

[ghmerrill]

I find that I always have problems in switching instruments because of the timbre. Just because a tone is the same frequency on two different horns, that doesn't mean that it SOUNDS the same -- and this frequently throws me off. I'm going through that now with the bass trombone. And even after I get it in the privacy of my own home, playing in ensemble is another step. A Bb (for example) on the trombone just doesn't sound like a Bb on the euph -- even if I'm using the same mouthpiece.

In terms of "how tight is tight"? I don't have a clue. That's a matter of your own facial/muscular structure, your mouthpiece, your instrument, and the note you're playing. I just know that usually when I'm having trouble it's because I'm subconsciously trying to correct for poor embouchure by pressing the mouthpiece harder into my face. I confess I don't ever think in terms like "pulling the corners back" -- which seems more like something I'd do on a saxophone or clarinet mouthpiece, or a flute. Generally I think something like "rounder and less pressure; use the muscles and not the mouthpiece". Works for me.