Buzzing

Few methods of practice can help solve more problems more efficiently than mouthpiece buzzing (*if* you do it correctly). The mouthpiece is less forgiving than the trombone. It will more quickly reveal bad playing habits. If you can buzz a passage, you'll play it better.

It is especially important to spend some time buzzing early in your daily warm-up routine. If you want a collection of music to buzz, I have written a book, Simply Singing for Winds, that is quite useful for that purpose.

WHAT IS A GOOD BUZZ?

Listen carefully to your mouthpiece buzzing. Here are some characteristics of a good buzz:

• A good buzz finds a happy medium between the extremes of of tight/constricted and loose/airy.
• To achieve full resonance, your buzz should have a little roughness around the edges of the sound. I call this sound the "diamond in the rough."
• With a good buzz, you will feel as if your air is flowing out rather quickly without being forced. Think of "collapsing" like a big balloon as you buzz.
• A good buzz has a clear center to the sound.
• A good buzz starts with a full sound right away. It doesn't creep in or "blossom" into a full sound over time.
• A good buzz requires that you hear the note in your "mind's ear "before you begin.
• A good buzz has a lot of vibration inside the rim of the mouthpiece. Especially on medium to low notes, it should feel as if the whole lip is vibrating. 

What to Buzz?

Instead of stagnant patterns, buzz simple lyrical melodies. Strive both for pitch accuracy and good musical phrasing as you buzz. You may want to begin with legato melodies in which you lightly gliss from note to note without tonguing. After a few legato tunes, be sure to include some light articulated melodies.

Try this: Buzzing with piano

As you buzz simple melodies (or even slow arpeggios), try playing chord roots with your left hand on the piano (which, hopefully, is in tune). Listen carefully and match your pitch to the piano. Think of "blending" your sound into the piano's. Learn chord progressions to simple tunes such as "Silent Night" and play chord roots under your melody. Listen! 
(if you have the piano skill, you can also play the chords with your right hand)

Try this: Good vibrations

As you buzz, try lightly resting your hand along your jaw bone. When you are buzzing well, you should feel some vibration in your jaw. Generally speaking, the more vibration, the better. While your hand is there, check for excessive muscle tension. Keep things relaxed. You can also try feeling for vibration in your chest. Try laying your hand on your clavicle bone and checking for vibration while you buzz. 

Try this: "Blowing-In" the note.

Start blowing a nice stream of air through the mouthpiece with the lips separated so they can't buzz. Without cutting off the air stream, bring the lips gentlys together until they start to buzz. Get some feedback to make sure your air keeps flowing. Many people pinch off the air flow at the moment the note starts.