Technique

Basic Musicianship Skills Tone Intonation Technique Rhythm Interpretation

Technique is your ability to tongue and finger with good precision.

Tonguing Reed players touch the tip of the reed with the tip of the tongue. Brass and flute players touch the alveolar ridge with the tip of the tongue.

Tonguing On a series of short notes, blow as if you were playing one long note. Do not move your jaw. Do not touch your lips with your tongue.

Fingering Maintain a natural curve in fingers. Move at the large knuckle. Raise fingers only ¼ inch above keys or holes. Keep your fingers above their own key or hole when not it use.

Fingering, etc. Drummers use mostly wrist motion. Trumpets DO NOT hook little finger in the finger hook. Trombones use mostly elbow motion.