English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

I've been trying to figure out (since the first time I picked up a trumpet) why I have a horrible high range. Most of the forums I go to concern people trying to go for a double C (two C's above the middle one, I think) or higher, but I've been playing for seven to eight years and still can only scrape off a G2 (the G just above the staff) when I'm lucky. Now, I know that something's wrong with the way I'm playing, because that's not normal. I have a great tone with the notes in my range (F# to E2), and great technique, so I'm dreading the idea that there's something so horribly wrong with my embrochure that, if corrected, would ruin my other skills.

But now I think I've found the problem. My dad's mentioned that, as a music director, a common problem with singers is that they tense up their throat muscles when they try to sing high. And I'm almost 100% certain that this is my problem. How can I teach my muscles to relax so that I won't continue restricting air flow?

2006-07-02 05:57:16 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities Performing Arts

Other little things to note:

I'm going to be a senior in high school, so people told me I have plenty of time to fix anything like this.

The throat tension seems to be psychologically induced, you might say. Every time I see a high note while I'm playing a song or an exercise, all the sudden the rest of my notes, even the ones I can play well, sound weak and squeezed out. It's a bad habit.

Also, to add to my point, when I give up practicing my trumpet for about a week (discouraged and procrastinating), if I pick it up and play a few notes, I can easily reach those G2s and A2s.

This problem is hindering my progress in range especially as a trumpeter, so any advice is much appreciated. Keep in mind that I'm 1st chair this year at my high school, and I have some big expectations to live up to, like at *least* hitting a G2! (small high school -- only five trumpeters, and I'm the best and oldest)

2006-07-02 06:03:40 · update #1

9 answers

Lip slurs, baby! :-)

Seriously, I'm not a trumpet player (I'm a clarinetist), so I would highly recommend finding a private teacher, particularly if you're planning to continue with the trumpet in college.

But, lip slurs on a daily basis DO work. I got a trombone player last fall who couldn't play at all (and I'm a high school teacher). By this May, he was playing high Es and Fs. He worked on lip slurs everyday.

2006-07-04 10:25:09 · answer #1 · answered by Donna 2 · 1 1

I know it sounds crazy, but get an empty bread bag (make sure there aren't any crumbs in it) and flatten it out to where there's no air in it. Then hold the top of the bag, take a deep breath, and blow in a steady stream into the bag. If you are able to fill it all the way up with one breath, then good. Keep practicing that. Another trick is to take a note pad size piece of paper and hold it against the wall, blow a steady stream of air on to the paper and let go. The point is to have the paper stay in one spot and not fall until you run out of air. Something more hands on the instrument is to take the mouthpiece and practice scales with the piano. Keep moving up steps until you can't make the pitch. Doing this without the instrument helps for when you do have it. If all that doesn't work, just keep trying scales and breathing techniques. hope this helps

2006-07-02 13:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by lojack 3 · 0 0

I believe hitting the high notes lies in your embochure. I learned to play the cornet when I was in 7th grade. My band teacher told us a little about embochure. He told us not to inflate our cheeks. He told us that applying pressure to the lips and making them tense so we could hit the high notes would only wear our lips out faster.

He told about a technique that doesn't require you to put pressure on your lips and doesn't require you to tense your lips in order to hit the high notes.

If you learn to perfect the following technique, it will work and make your playing relatively easy. What he said to do was to move the botton lip in and out while you are playing. Moving the bottom lip out will enable you to play the low notes. If you move the bottom lip inward that will enable you to hit the high notes with ease. I tried it and it does work. However, you have to perfect the technique so you can have control over your lower lip because slight movement of the lower lip will change the note.

This is how you can try it: Play the low C on your horn (all pistons are up). While continuing to play that note begin to slowly roll your botton lip inward and you will notice that you will advance to G, then high C, then high E, and then high G, and then high C above the staff. Come back down by gradually rolling your bottom lip outward. Try it and see if it works.

Also your mouthpiece can play a role in your ability to hit the high notes. I don't know about the trumpet but for the cornet a Bach 10.5 C helps students with weak embochures to hit the high notes easier. The following web site might be helpful to you:

http://www.mouthpieceexpress.com/catalog/index2.php?cPath=197&osCsid=c80a04d605be5d31be0c3a0e431a28be

Once you go to this web site, click the Mouthpiece Specification Icon. Then click the "View and Compare specification" that is in the upper left side of the page. The resulting page will list many different brand name mouthpieces. Select "trumpet" under the brand name(s) you are interested in. The web page that comes up will list all the different sizes for that brand name. It will give you the specs and information about what to expect from the mouthpiece. From the description of each m/p size you will either confirm that the m/p you are using is right for you or you will find another that might be a better choice for you.

There is nothing like having a tutor. A lot of big music stores that sell band instruments have teachers that help students learn to play an instrument or helps an experienced student learn to play better. If there is one in your area, ask your Dad if you can take some music lessons with a trumpet instructor. Maybe the instructor can help you find a technique that is right for you.

Remember, to pratice, practice, practice. The finest trumpet players in the world practice much every day.

2006-07-02 23:29:51 · answer #3 · answered by starone 3 · 0 0

hi, i have some tips for you. i working on my degree in trumpet performance, so maybe this will help you. one should stil be able to play higher than a g while tense. when ever you have any problems, always go back to you embochure. are your corners tight, is you embochure firm, are you puckering, always remember to think forward. and about breathing, always remember to blow from the bottom. this means breathing from your diaphram instead of your chest. you get better air flow. lastly, dont forget your tongue arch. arch your tongue so that it quickens the air flow in your mouth. that should help. about the relaxation. i have the same problem. the first thing you have to do is relax your sholders. this opens up the air flow through your throat. also, try not to push really hard with your stomach muscles. this actually causes your throat to close. instead. think of your diaphram as an accordian. even, steady breaths in and out. your stomach should be the only thing moving. your sholders and chest should not even budge. if you still have ?'s about the trumpet. email wayne cameron at wayne.cameron@verizon.net. he is my teacher at peabody. he can help you. or email me at nicoli_bellamont@yahoo.com

good luck

.

2006-07-02 13:27:57 · answer #4 · answered by nicoli_bellamont 1 · 0 0

for your throat you need to do "ha" exercises in the complete range you feel good in then try to expand higher or lower. It may also be a diaphragm issue, its at the base of your rib cage in the middle and is the thing responsible for hiccups, you may need to strengthen it. With higher or lower range your air flow increases and if your diaphragm is weak you wont be able to push enough air.

2006-07-02 13:05:43 · answer #5 · answered by me 5 · 0 0

Why don't you ask this question to an experienced trumpet player? Find one that you like and either send him an e-mail or better find the time and talk to him.

2006-07-02 13:01:49 · answer #6 · answered by Alexandra I 5 · 0 0

just for fun - go for big size trumpet

2006-07-02 13:03:34 · answer #7 · answered by Kgs 4 · 0 0

don't forget to empty your spit valve.

also, don't eat or drink anything with lactose in it. i'm serious.

2006-07-02 13:01:21 · answer #8 · answered by eo 1 · 0 0

just blow!! :)

2006-07-02 13:01:25 · answer #9 · answered by RENE H 5 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers