In this segment, Bob McChesney, who I regard as one of the fastest trombone players alive, demonstrates the power of articulation over intonation. A master of the doodle tongue technique, Bob explains how smooth, consistent articulation can mask slight pitch imperfections, especially at high speeds.

He shows how evenly played notes create the illusion of perfect tuning, even if some pitches are slightly off. Through a clever “parlor trick” performance, he demonstrates that at rapid tempos, articulation becomes the listener’s focus.