Tonguing and the new Conns

Question:

I read with interest your response to a question about low tonguing and discovered that you tongue all the notes the same. I was taught this way by Kendall Betts and it seems to work for me too. I was wondering when you were taught this method and what kind of heritage it has with your teachers.

On another topic, I bought an Eastlake Conn screwball that I kind of like but it is different than a usual 8D. It not quite as free-blowing but the notes seem to notch better without some of the looseness of the old Elkharts. Have you ever tried these horns? I'm interested in your opinion on your choice of 8Ds.

Sincerely,
Erik Vigesaa


Michelle Baker answers:

Hi Erik

As far as your tonguing question goes - As far as I can remember, no one taught me to tongue the way I tongue! (tonguing all the notes with the same tongue placement). It was just something that I discovered really worked for me! Minimal movement is always best - in every way! My head has a tendency to get a little busy so it helped for me to simplify my tonguing (as well as some other things!)

Eastlake Conns... If you mean the new Vintage Conns, then YES I have played quite a few. So far, I'm not that excited about them... mainly because of exactly what you mentioned: my E Series Conn is very free-blowing and "loose"... the Vintage Conns are more notched and I personally do not want to play on a notched horn. I (along with a few of my colleagues) also found the middle register to be slightly stuffy on most of them.

I have shared my thoughts with the Conn people and I am holding out hope that these Conns will eventually be made to feel and sound more like the old Elkharts!

hope that is helpful!

michelle