Bel Canto for Brass

Foreword:
This book contains vocalises that were originally intended for the development and training of the singing voice. However, they are also very suitable for brass players, all the more since there are various similarities between singing and playing a brass instrument. Consider the Vibration source: for singers the vocal cords, for brass players the lips. Singers as well as brass players have to work intensively on sound production and tone quality. Also, a right breathing technique and good breath support are of great importance for both disciplines.

These vocalises are first of all meant to develop a musical and melodic way of playing. The human voice should, as it were, stand for the goal that brass players wish to achieve with the help of these singing etudes.

Phrasing (the playing of musical lines) is an aspect that deserves a lot of attention. A beautiful tone, a flexible and flowing style of playing, the use of dynamic contrasts together with good tone purity, rhythm, and articulation are eventually the means to realize a satisfying musical result.

I wish every brass player lots of playing fun, and I hope that the intended aim - achieving a musical, melodic playing style - will be approached as closely as possible for each and everyone.
Frits Damrow