The LoFi Flow Studies are sequential or pattern-based exercises written to help players stay engaged and focused during their fundamentals practice. The exercises can help develop a players' sound in all registers, help key fluency, and work on groove and intonation by playing along with a unique and engaging backing track.
These Flow Studies can be used in individual practice sessions, private lessons, or group settings such as sectionals or masterclasses. These studies are a fun way to work on fundamentals and musicianship.
will be available for BBb, Eb, and F Tuba, as well as trombone/euphonium soon!
LoFi LowFlow
This exercise combines long tones with extended harmonies that challenge the player to use their ears to tune to (possibly) unfamiliar harmonies like 9th and 13th chords. The player should strive for ultimate smoothness in their approach to this exercises by using copious amounts of warm air and fast/precise finger technique for a consistent sound.
Wagnerian Flow [Low Register and High Register]
This flow study is inspired by melodies and harmonies found in Wagner’s operas, specifically Siegfried and Das Rheingold. These long and chromatic melodies are meant to help players with their endurance in both the low and high range of the instrument, and their ability to craft a long phrase with a seemingly endless air supply.
Dark and Stormy
The main focus of this exercise is maintaining a good core to your sound and keeping it consistent with changing dynamics and varying articulations.
This exercise incorporates the use of sequences so that the player, once familiar with the exercise, no longer needs to look at the music and can focus on using their ears to help develop their low register sound and dynamic contrast.
Common Tone Arpeggios [Descending and Ascending]
Inspired by Clarke Studies and Arban's exercises, this flow study is based on major arpeggios. The player should focus on using a consistent air stream to match the timbre of each note of the arpeggios, and confident fast fingers for smooth valve movement.
This exercise can be played both slurred and articulated.
Swells and Arpeggios
This is a long tone exercise that incorporates the use of dynamic contrast and ascending/descending arpeggios so the player’s embouchure stays flexible and relaxed while playing long tones. Focus on a consistent (beautiful) sound at varying dynamics.
LoFi Tones and Drones
This exercise was originally found in Bill Bell’s Warm-Up Routine. It is an excellent long tone exercise that helps find the center of notes, develop good intonation, and air support. Be sure you keep your sound as consistent as possible when changing dynamics and registers. Keep relaxed and focus on making your best possible sound with the least amount of effort during this exercise.
FAT LIP SLURS
This lip slur exercise is based on an exercise that London-based tuba player Oren Marshall led during a masterclass for all of the tuba players involved in the 2019 Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Competition. The exercise consists of lip slurs played over a funky 7/8 beats that allows the player to focus on smooth air flow with unique rhythmic patterns.