Kopprasch Project continued, No. 40

Here’s the next etude in the Kopprasch series. I’ve tweaked my video settings, which should hopefully remove the border that’s been appearing around recent uploads.  This study really works flexibility and articulation in the middle register with a combination of repeated staccato and medium to wide skips. The tempo range provided in my edition is dotted-quarter=116-152, and for this recording the tempo is around dotted-quarter=132. Try not to over-tongue the staccatos, even in forte passages, at it just makes everything sound more labored.  I like using T13 for the final repeated low Cs.

Kopprasch Project Continued, No. 34

Etude No. 34 (the final study in Book 1) marks the end of my Kopprasch project, at least for the immediate future.  Suggested tempo is quarter=96, although the Cornopub edition lists a range from quarter=80-120. The biggest issue in the first half is finding a place to breath. It is possible to play from measure 5-12 in a single breath, but in the interest of clarity and tone quality I found it necessary to catch a breath at the end of measure 10.  I felt pretty good about this particular “take,” although six measures from the end there is what is known in the lexicon of clams as a “no-speaky.”  Verne Reynolds doesn’t hold back in his opinion of No. 34 in The Horn Handbook, noting that this is “Kopprasch at his most predictable and repetitious.” (p. 61) He does point out, however, that changing the articulations, rhythms, dynamics, and transposition can breath new life in this study. For my part, I found improved endurance and more consistent articulations among the benefits of practicing this etude.  Coming up on Wednesday: some final thoughts on this project, and news on future projects.

Kopprasch Project Continued, No. 15

No. 15 is the first slow, lyrical etude in the collection, and is a great study for working on tone quality and phrasing. I like a tempo of around eighth-note=72.  Take your time on the turns, and remember that the thirty-second notes aren’t nearly as fast as they look.

Kopprasch Project Continued, No. 14

After a week off, here’s your next Kopprasch installment.  This one can be quite challenging for a number of reasons, namely concentration, accuracy, and clarity of articulation.  Suggested tempo is quarter note=108-112.  Be careful on beat four in the first full measure after the repeat that you get low enough when slurring from the E at the top of the staff to the G below it.  It is really easy to clip that interval and get a B-flat instead of a G.  Keep the air moving, and relax.

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