Training Exercise 5 is a menu within the Hamaji Method that specializes in "recovering and checking flexibility." It is an arpeggio that starts from a high note, descends two octaves, and ascends back up. The key to success is to convince yourself this is a warm-up, not a practice drill. You must not try to hit notes aggressively or blow hard. Focus on moving your lips softly, and if you miss a note, keep going in tempo without stopping. By accepting mistakes, you draw out the flexible responses your body naturally possesses. By playing with a sensation of massaging your lips, you can identify the sweet spot of your embouchure for the day.
- Although this is an arpeggio exercise, the purpose is "to soften the lips" and "to check today's condition." Never overblow; maintain a light airstream throughout.
- The air gradually becomes thicker and then thinner again. Also, the oral cavity goes from narrow to wide and back again. Treat this as a process of physically confirming these changes.
- Tonguing should not be sharply articulated but performed with a loose, relaxed feel of "ti ti ti." Release the tension in the tongue and move it without obstructing the airflow.
- Don't worry about mistakes; keep moving forward at the designated tempo with the metronome. By playing through without stopping, you develop a sense of smooth transitions between registers.
Prioritize 'Flow' Without Fearing Mistakes
Many people tense up when they miss a note, trying to "correct it." However, in this exercise, that correction becomes counterproductive. Play with light air, and even if the sound becomes airy, keep going. By doing so, the unnecessary tension in your lips dissipates, and a moment arrives when the notes naturally fall into place. Support the changes in oral cavity volume—expanding and contracting—with airspeed alone. Learning this minimal control is the secret to making high notes and wide intervals easier on the horn. The more you relax, the more you will feel the instrument helping you. Let go of your fixation on pitch for a moment and surrender to the flow of air itself.
Practice Steps
- 1. Start from a high note and play through the arpeggio line as if tracing it with light air. It is important to maintain a consistent airspeed from the entry point to the exit.
- 2. Use relaxed "ti ti ti" tonguing, moving the tongue with the tension released.
- 3. Feel the oral cavity change from narrow (high register) to wide (low register) to narrow (high register) as you move through the ranges.
- 4. Don't worry about missed notes; play all the way through without stopping, staying in time with the metronome.
Summary
Horn Training Exercise 5 is an arpeggio exercise using light air and relaxed tonguing. The purpose is "to condition the lips." By proceeding without fearing mistakes while monitoring the changes in your air and oral cavity, you cultivate the flexibility essential for horn players. Incorporate this into the latter half of your daily warm-up and confirm a relaxed resonance. Ultimately, maintain enough mental composure that you can laugh even when you miss a note, and maximize the freedom of your lips. This sense of "play" becomes the foundation for the supple physical control needed when tackling difficult pieces, and it leads to an overall sense of ease in your performance. Enjoy the small changes each day and keep at it steadily.
Video Info
- Title: Horn Flexibility: Arpeggios with Light Air. Loosening the Lips with Relaxed Tonguing
- Instrument: horn
- Level: Beginner
