Speaker Key A

The left thumb is the only digit that moves between low A and upper A. It will need to move between the whisper key and the high A key. As you learn to move your thumb between the various keys, you might need to watch your thumb to make sure you land on the correct key.

Matching Pitch

Play through Matching Pitch on Upper A to check your intonation on this new note. Use faster air for good response and tone.

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If you are flat on the upper A:

• Make sure the E tone hole is completely covered (no half-hole).
• Raise the back of your tongue into more of an “ee” (see) position.
• Decrease space between your teeth and in the oral cavity.

If you are sharp on the upper A

• Listen carefully to the drone to internalize accurate aural target, AND
• Use your best breath support and fast air, AND
• Increase space between your teeth.

Balance Point

Finding a good balance point in your left hand is the key to fluid motion between the many thumb keys. Using minimal pressure on the keys and holes is also important. If you squeeze with your hands, it will take a lot of effort to lift your thumb off the whisper key.

To play these octave As, your left thumb will move between the whisper key and the high A speaker key. Each line in the following exercise will sound the same but your thumb will move more slowly and deliberately in the first line, a little quicker for the second line, and quickly for the third line. With a good bit of practice, your thumb will actually “memorize” the feel of this motion and the distance between these two thumb keys (like a pianist’s hands & fingers memorizing the feel of the various intervals).

Blow fast, cold air for the upper A and slow, warm air for the low A. The upper A tends flat so you will also need to change the vowel in your mouth by raising the back of your tongue.

Speaker Key Exercise on A

Alma Mater in F

Alma Mater in F is an Old American song. The score below is marked with symbols to remind you of the following:

• Green circle means use half-hole
• +res means add the resonance key
• Red line means hold down the whisper key until the line stops or changes color
• Blue Sp and line means use the appropriate speaker key, which in this case is the High A key

Upper G to upper A is a challenging combination for the fingers.

Practice Tip: Using the Isolate and Repeat technique.

• Focus on your LEFT THUMB (whisper – A speaker – whisper)
• Focus on the LEFT INDEX (half – full -half)
• Focus on LEFT PINKY (resonance On-Off-On)

Now go back and play through Alma Mater in F. It should be much easier.

Reminders

Speaker key exercises give the left thumb a workout. Keep your hands relaxed and allow the long/bass joint to balance near the base of the left index finger. This will allow the front of the hand (and left fingers) to remain in position while the motion between whisper and speaker keys is isolated in your thumb.