It definitely is a circular process, one we’ll never be done with.

I saw Tom Hooten ( LA Phil) and other great players (Phil Smith) talk about watching out for tension creeping in.

I myself seem to have it less and less often now as I replace it with more and more memories of playing relaxed and experiencing the amazing freedom and resonance possible above the staff.

I proved my theory again yesterday, I played some harmonic slur exercises (Arban), focusing more on quality of sound than speed at first.

I believe the sound should be our guide to what specific shape we should make for each pitch with good air and we should strive also for the Shape / movement to make that is the most efficient possible.

The work I did yesterday seemed to make a difference today, making things feel and sound even better.

I finally feel free, a bit, to focus on other things and not think about Shape as much anymore, I feel like I finally have it down. I need to work on my range a bit further, but very happy for now with what ive got.

Planning on working on articulation and music/phrasing a bit. And, of course continuing with working on harmonic slurs / WindWorks exercises–excited to continue that progression.