Existing articles
While researching on the internet for literature I found that this specific technical issue has rarely been researched or written about. Also, I think that it is not well understood, leading to the lack of writing on the subject. However, what I did come across is very useful and can be applied to my research. According to an article written in 2008 by an American professional trombone player, Brad Howland1, he likens the brass stutter to the valsalva manoeuvre, a medical term for when the body reacts to certain stimuli. In the case of brass players, this would be the inhalation of the breath. Due to some anxiety or a slight hesitation the throat is forced into an upward position resulting in the inability to exhale. While the valsalva manoeuvre is a medical issue and a possible result of the stutter, it is not a cause, but simply a reaction to a previous action and is what stops the player from creating the sound on demand. My research has been to find out what makes me do this, what am I doing that is triggering the valsalva manoeuvre, and how can it be prevented.I think what Mr Howland wrote in his article perfectly describes the feelings I personally have when the stutter occurs. He also explains very well the effect of the stutter and what it sounds like to the listener. Due to the build-up of air behind the “locked tongue”, when and if it is released a large explosion of air occurs resulting in the start of the notes sounding very ugly. In my situation I have found that this is always the case. He also goes on to describe the different situations in which this would occur. This is also exactly the same issues as I have. I quote,
“It occurs most often while performing solo, such as during an audition where there is no rhythmic context from an ensemble or conductor. The response can be limited to certain notes or ranges of notes that the player is particularly worried about” 2
I have found that this is so common with the other articles I have read, nearly every person I have interviewed and myself included have the very same difficulties. In another article, Jon Gorrie, for example also writes a lot of similar material on the valsalvic manoeuvre, stating these difficulties all occur at the similar times. He likens these problems to focal dystonia. Another medical condition that can serioussly effect wind players. He also goes on to recommend some breathing exercises to help stop the valsalvic manoeuvre happening. However these did not work for me. They made things worse. As part of this research I wanted to find out the best way to get over these frustrating problems and Mr Howland also goes on to offer advice onwhat can help. I do however think that everyone is very different and in finding a solution could vary from person to person. Mr Howland recommends the Carmine Caruso “Six note” exercise. I have been trying this and believe it is helping in some ways. I go on in my useful exercises section to describe how this exercise is undertaken. To summarise, there are some existing articles that are available to players that suffer from this. However what is obtainable is nearly all describing what happens, which, the player who is suffering from this looking for a solution will likely know already. The articles in question also only really describe the valsalvic manoeuvre, a cause of the problem and do not offer any reliable advise on how to prevent it.
1. http://www.musicforbrass.com/articles/valsalva-maneuver.html 5/11/16
2. ibid
3. http://musicians-focal-dystonia.com/focal-dystonia-first-note-anxiety-brass-players/
Method
Firstly I started by conducting a series of interviews with various brass professionals that have suffered from this problem, asking them about the causes and possible solutions. This has allowed me to try out several different approaches to alleviate my own problems. I have also gathered some data from many trombone students studying in the Netherlands. I emailed a short survey tothe trombone classes of The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. From this I managed to present some statistics showing various interesting facts regarding the different level of awareness and understanding of these issues.
I have interviewed the following professionals trombonist.
Pete Saunders
Anton van Houten
Graham Lee
Ben van Dijk
Roel Avonds
Interview Questions
These are the questions I have askedthe selected professional brass musicians.
How would you define the stutter issue?
Has it always been this way for you or did it start at a certain point? Which point in your career did it start and did it affect your career?
Do you think your problems were more technique issues or psychological doubts?
- If so which technical and psychological issues?
In what situations do you find that your stutter occurs?
Are there certain techniques you find that lead to this?
Which ways do you think helped you best to overcome your stutter?
-What mental stance did you take on this to help?
To what extent have you overcome these problems?
-Werethere any particular exercises that helped you?
How long did it take you to fix these problems?
Do you still occasionally suffer from a setback?
Did you seek professional help or did you overcome this on your own?
-If so was this from a musicalor a psychologicalstandpoint.
Any anecdotes you wish to share?
What publications did you read?
Do you think it has a relationships with a speech impediments?
Survey questions for current students of Dutch conservatories.
Dear fellow trombone students of The Netherlands
My name is Nick Prince I am a second year master student studying with Brandt Attema in Den Haag. I am emailing you with regard to my master research. The topic for my research is the musicians’ stutter. This occurs after the inhalation of breath and before the articulation of the note. I have suffered from this and so have many others,including many professional trombonists. Below I have written eight short questions, most of them are yes or no answers. If you could write underneath your answer and send this back to me I’d very much appreciate it. It will take around 5 minutes.
Regards
Nick Prince
Have you ever heard of the Brass player’s Stutter?
Have you ever experienced a stutter in your own playing?
Do you know someone who struggles with this but, do not have any personal issues with it?
What do you think is the main cause of the problem?
Have you experienced this stutter in specific situations?
If so which kind of situations?
Do you believe that this is a technicalissue or just phycological? or both?
Have you ever seen or read any other literature or other publications on this subject?
Do you think that this is limited to trombone or have you seen other instrumentalists with similar problems?
If youhave had this, have you found a solution?
If so can you describe how you came to this.