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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, improve key fluency, develop finger technique, and work on groove and intonation by playing along with unique and engaging backing tracks. 

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These exercises can be used in individual practice sessions, private lessons, or group settings such as sectionals or masterclasses and have proven to be a fun way to work on fundamentals and musicianship.

[BBb Tuba] LoFi Flow Studies
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[CC Tuba] LoFi Flow Studies
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[F Tuba] LoFi Flow Studies
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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 exercise 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 register 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 focuses 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.

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This exercise can be played both slurred and articulated and comes in both ascending and descending versions.

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 beat that allows the player to focus on smooth air flow with unique rhythmic patterns.

Don Harry Slurs 

This slurring exercise is a fantastic way to develop beautiful wide slurs, consistent tone throughout all registers, and helps players with intonation for wide intervals. The exercise comes from a set of warm up exercises from Professor Don Harry at the Eastman School of Music. 

SyncoFLOW

This flow study in all 12 keys gives players the opportunity to work on melodic phrasing, developing their low register, and sense of groove. This simple melody works great when buzzed on the mouthpiece alone and has been a go-to "first notes of the day" melody.

Sonic Bondo

This is a lip bend exercise based on a similar exercise found in The Brass Gym and concepts discussed by tubist JáTtik Clark. This exercise can be helpful for players to develop and strengthen their embouchure and audiation skills. Be sure to support your sound and lip bends with air and try not to manipulate your embouchure too much. The results of this exercise can be a stronger sense of good intonation and "centering" of notes.

LoFi Scale Studies

These scale studies are based on the first exercise out of C.L. Hanon's The Virtuoso Pianist and are available at 80, 100, 120, and 140 BPM. These major scale patterns are an excellent way to improve finger technique, range, and obviously, scales.

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