Ask Robin Eubanks - Part II

[Plathino]

hello robin,
i really love the way you use multiphonics in your solos.when i try to use it, i have always the impression that the audience does not really hear the sound.how do you manage it that one can hear it so clearly?
my problem is that i can't do multiphonics with head voice yet.when i sing with head voice in the horn,it sounds horrible.

regards
Tilman

[Robin Eubanks]

Hi Robin,

I've been doing a bit of recording lately, and so have a few questions regarding this.

When you're recording do you have a specific mic which you find captures the sound of the trombone best? Or do you just recorded on whatever the recording engineer puts up?

Do you have a specific way of being miked which you prefer?

Jackson

Hello Jackson,

Sorry for getting back to you so late. I haven't been checking this page as much as I should because there hasn't been much activity. But if there are more posts I'll start checking it regularly.

Anyway, I use Neumann's and the old RCA tube mic, most of the time.
However there are many good mics on the market now. If an engineer has a mic they like to use for trombone, I check it out and it usually sounds pretty good.

-Robin

[Robin Eubanks]

hello robin,
i really love the way you use multiphonics in your solos.when i try to use it, i have always the impression that the audience does not really hear the sound.how do you manage it that one can hear it so clearly?
my problem is that i can't do multiphonics with head voice yet.when i sing with head voice in the horn,it sounds horrible.

regards
Tilman

Hello Tilman,

I'm not sure what I do to project the note. I just sing or yell it clearly.
I wasn't sure if people could hear the sung noter well either, but when people started asking me what I was doing, I assumed they could hear it.
I practice playing a note then singing it's unison at the same time.
Then I go up the scale trying to tune up each interval.
The Perfect intervals resonate the best. 5ths, 4ths and octaves.

-Robin

[Mike Schwartz]

Hey Robin.....a belated Hapy New Year!

Hope all is well for you and your family

[PHILLYQ]

hello Robin,
I recently saw you play at Birdland in NYC with Dave Holland's group- you guys were smokin'!!!!!!! Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the show and your 'bone playing was top-notch. Thank you very much.

[Ansgar]

Hi Robin,
my name is ansgar, i'm from germany and saw you playing the amazing gig in dortmund. i've got a question about mistakes even one of the best musican do during their gigs. a friend ,who is a jazz-bassist in germany, told me, that even the best players make mistakes, but can react faster then "normal" people would ever be able to. what do you think?
sorry for my bad english,
-ansgar

[Robin Eubanks]

hello Robin,
I recently saw you play at Birdland in NYC with Dave Holland's group- you guys were smokin'!!!!!!! Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the show and your 'bone playing was top-notch. Thank you very much.

Hello PHILLYO,

First of all. I need to apologize for not checking in with this thread, nearly as much, as I have in the past. The activity died down for a while, but if people keep it happening, I will certainly be back more often.
Anyway, thanks for your comments. I appreciate them very much.

Robin[/I]

[Robin Eubanks]

Hi Robin,
my name is ansgar, i'm from germany and saw you playing the amazing gig in dortmund. i've got a question about mistakes even one of the best musican do during their gigs. a friend ,who is a jazz-bassist in germany, told me, that even the best players make mistakes, but can react faster then "normal" people would ever be able to. what do you think?
sorry for my bad english,
-ansgar

Hello Ansgar,

Hello Ansgar,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to this. To answer your question, I would say. I make "mistakes" all the time. However, we usually consider things we play to be mistakes, when what we play is different from what we intended to play. It may be a "wrong" note or phrase. However, the things that come out are not really wrong, just different. If we remain open to the possibilities that exist when we make "mistakes", we find that they can lead us into directions that we were not aware of before. Instead of going along the route we planned, we might take a slight detour. Often, you will find that things can happen in a different and more rewarding way.

I can go into this further if you like.

-Robin

[buzzoff1031]

I have a real "newbie" question for you. I was in college and ended up dropping out. So basically I wasted time and money. Also, I live in Tuscaloosa, AL. Another thing, I work over 50 hours a week. I haven't played in 4 years. Any possiblility of me getting back into the groove and maybe gigging a bit, in your opinion?

[Robin Eubanks]

I have a real "newbie" question for you. I was in college and ended up dropping out. So basically I wasted time and money. Also, I live in Tuscaloosa, AL. Another thing, I work over 50 hours a week. I haven't played in 4 years. Any possiblility of me getting back into the groove and maybe gigging a bit, in your opinion?

There is always a chance of you getting things together enough to gig a bit.
It all depends on you. How hard you work and of course it depends on the gigs you're trying to do.
You have to be patient and do a little bit at a time. It may also help to carry a mouthpiece with you, so you can buzz and tongue throughout the day.
Good luck,

-Robin

[buzzoff1031]

I like that idea of taking the mouthpiece around. Do you have any ideas on breathing exercises that I can do to start getting my air support back. And do you know if any resources online that I can get ALL scales for free? Also, is learning piano voicings the best thing to learn to improve the quality of improvising? If so, what would be the resource you'd recommend for that? Thanks!

[mtaylorjazz]

Hello Ansgar,

Hello Ansgar,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to this. To answer your question, I would say. I make "mistakes" all the time. However, we usually consider things we play to be mistakes, when what we play is different from what we intended to play. It may be a "wrong" note or phrase. However, the things that come out are not really wrong, just different. If we remain open to the possibilities that exist when we make "mistakes", we find that they can lead us into directions that we were not aware of before. Instead of going along the route we planned, we might take a slight detour. Often, you will find that things can happen in a different and more rewarding way.

I can go into this further if you like.

-Robin

Hey Robin!

Amen to that! That's one of those things that good to hear said from time to time (or see in living pixels...).

[Robin Eubanks]

I like that idea of taking the mouthpiece around. Do you have any ideas on breathing exercises that I can do to start getting my air support back. And do you know if any resources online that I can get ALL scales for free? Also, is learning piano voicings the best thing to learn to improve the quality of improvising? If so, what would be the resource you'd recommend for that? Thanks!

Hello buzzoff,

I think LONG TONES are a great way to get your air support, and many other things working well. I suggest tapping your foot at 60bpm (1 tap a second), take a complete breath and play and sustain notes for 12 beats, inhale within the next 4 beats and play the next note. I usually start in 1st pos. and go down to 7th, then back up.
I'm not sure where to find all of the scales for free. I assume you've tried googling.
Piano voicings are a good way to learn which notes work well on chords, I wouldn't call it the best thing.

-Robin

[Robin Eubanks]

Hey Robin!

Amen to that! That's one of those things that good to hear said from time to time (or see in living pixels...).

Hi Mark,

Please feel free to add your own perspective to what I wrote.
It's always nice to hear what others have to say.

-Robin

[hypersonic]

I like that idea of taking the mouthpiece around. Do you have any ideas on breathing exercises that I can do to start getting my air support back. And do you know if any resources online that I can get ALL scales for free? Also, is learning piano voicings the best thing to learn to improve the quality of improvising? If so, what would be the resource you'd recommend for that? Thanks!

The way I see it, improvising is the best way to improve the quality of improvising.
Second to that is listening, both while you're improvising and while you are not.

[Peter Lin]

Hey Robin,

I absolutely dig your attitude toward the trombone and your amazing technique on all of Dave's albums!

I was wondering, what is your daily workout in terms of physical exercise as well as trombone exercises? How much of that do you think contributes to your playing?

Thanks Robin

-Peter

[Robin Eubanks]

Hey Robin,

I absolutely dig your attitude toward the trombone and your amazing technique on all of Dave's albums!

I was wondering, what is your daily workout in terms of physical exercise as well as trombone exercises? How much of that do you think contributes to your playing?

Thanks Robin

-Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the kind words. I don't have a daily physical workout. I try to exercise 2-3 times a week. I like to put 2 days in between workouts, so I can fully recoup, because I was getting injured too much. I do aerobics, usually stationary bike then I lift light weights and do lots of reps. I also like to play basketball.

Being in shape DEFINITELY affects the way I play the trombone. I play stronger and my air usage is better. I also helps my stamina.

-Robin

[Robin Eubanks]

The way I see it, improvising is the best way to improve the quality of improvising.
Second to that is listening, both while you're improvising and while you are not.

Hi Hypersonic,

Yes, there is no better way to improve how to play, than to play a lot.
What and how you practice can have a big affect also.

-Robin

[Mike Schwartz]

Hey Robin,

It's been mighty quiet around here, but just wanted to check in briefly.

As I type I'm listening to the latest Dave Holland Octet CD.
The solo you rip on Alex Sipianin's "Wind Dance" is Killin'!

I'm having Dave on the show with me this coming Sunday, and look forward to seeing you all hit at Kuumbwa and Yoshi's soon and hope to be able to come by to say hello.

[Robin Eubanks]

Hi Mike,

It was good to see you in Santa Cruz. Too bad we didn't get more time to chat. Yeah, I haven't been on this thread in quite a while. Thanks for jump starting it a bit.

-Robin

[trombone41195]

Dear Mr. Eubanks,

what kind of tonguing do you personally use when playing faster lines and how would you suggest practicing it?

[Robin Eubanks]

Hello trombone41195,

I play a lot of faster lines with a single tongue. I also use a double tongue using the syllables duh-guh. I practice things slowly then gradually speed them up.

I use Arbans exercises, Rochut exercises and jazz heads.

Dear Mr. Eubanks,

what kind of tonguing do you personally use when playing faster lines and how would you suggest practicing it?

[Mike Schwartz]

Hey Robin,

Kevin's coming on the show this morning 9am
90.5 KSJS, San Jose and www.ksjs.org

As 'teasers' played some Ray Bryant and EB3 Live Vol.1

[rvkleinberg]

Example:
Shure 98H/C
Sennheiser MD421

Thoughts?

[LWayne]

Robin;

Sorry to learn of Dave's loss.

Are there any future plans for Dave Holland Quintet to get together and record a studio album? I have seen the DHQ, Octet, and Big Band on various occasions and you really carry the music to new heights.

While all of the formats have their strengths, the DHQ with you and Chris Potter playing off one another is transcendent.

With each of the members being involved in their own projects, it seems too easy to drift apart. The DHQ has been a staple for so long.

Hope to hear a new recording soon.

Thanks,

LWayne