Trumpet Problems!=(?

Question

Someone help me! I have a solo in two weeks and i having difficulties!
1) I easily run out of breath so in between phrases i have to breath in..(I CANT PLAY THE WHOLE SONG WITHOUT STOPPING:( ..)
2) Sometimes i can hit high notes but sometimes i cant and when i do it sounds bad sometimes
3) Dynamics: theres a lot in the piece
3) Sometimes wen i play its not smooth its kinda raspy or w/e

TWO WEEKS LEFT !!!!!!! :(

HELP ME ...can i get better in two weeks!?


HELP ME HELP ME HELP ME

Thank u

Answer 1

Okay, first of all RELAX!!!! If you are already working yourself up to a frenzy now, you are going to freak out when you play the solo. All of your symptoms are characteristic of one problem: breath support. You need to breathe deeply before you make a sound on your horn, and in the breath, you need to picture yourself filing air in a hot air ballon. Breathing deeply not only helps you get more air into your lungs, but also opens up the mechanism of your diaphram that effectively allows you to play longer per breath and maintain and hit high notes for longer periods of time. And on top of that, the diaphram muscles also allow you to control dynamics (especially) soft ones better. The raspy sound could root from over playing, try practicing in 5-10 minute chunks and then taking 2-4 minutes off.

Make sure that you put enough air through horn to really make every note stick out. Practice slurring entire phrases for a few times to expand your depth of playing. You know, not being able to play everything in one breath isnt such a big deal. Take your time with the solo, be expressive and do not rush through it. It is afterall a solo, ask your director how much freedom you have when playing the music.

When playing, play relaxed, but be mentally aware and sharp. That is the best way, I think, to keep your mindset.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have air support issues. Try playing long tones, just a long middle G or low C as long as you can, trying to keep the tone even as you play through. Then go to F# and chromatically down and back up. Another exercise you can do is start the note at pianissimo, then crescendo to as loud as you can, then back to pianissimo. These breath exercises will help air support, which will help your stamina playing long passages. Air support will help you out on high notes. The pianissimo exercise will definitely help your dynamics range, and the reason it sounds raspy is probably not enough air support.

When the solo comes around, make sure you take a deep, full breath before every passage. People often forget to take that breath because they're worried about hitting all the notes. Do these exercises and you'll be surprised how good you'll sound, not only on the solo, but in general.

Answer 3

It sounds like your chops are a bit rusty. I would recommend taking your mouthpiece with you wherever you go, and practice the piece in your head. It will familiarize your brain with the piece and will enhance your ear to pitch!
I CANNOT play a whole song without stopping- I don't think that's possible! Are there rests? Try breathing exercises. Breathe in for ten seconds, then place your fingers sideways along your mouth and blow out as if you're playing a note. Also, puffing your cheeks is not helpful.
For the high notes, the mouthpiece playing should help. Try blowing without holding down any keys, starting as low as you can, and blow while controlling your mouth to reach a higher pitch. This will get your chops fit!
PRACTICE! Start out playing the piece really slow, i.e. making half notes into whole notes. This helps you memorize the sound, and also get a grasp of the piece as a whole.
Two weeks is plenty of time! Good luck!

Answer 4

Sounds like a combination of problems. I would recommend utilizing your air better. Start by making sure that every time to take in a breath, take in as much as possible. In order to use your air better you first have to have enough to do something with. Second, don't try to make it easy. The higher you go the more air support you need behind the note. If you try to play a G on top of the staff with the same amount of air and effort you play a second line G you'll never make it.

Do these three things while practicing: First, as you get higher tighten your stomach muscles. To get an idea of what this feels like when playing, sit on a chair sideways. Now as your playing a one octave scale, going up, lean back to at least 45 degrees. The tension in your stomach is what you want to create as your notes get higher. Second, as the note get higher you should be arching your tongue within your mouth. Thinking ee or tee on articulations. This makes the inside of your mouth smaller and naturally increases the air speed with is the key to endurance and range. Lastly, as you go higher firm up the corners of your mouth. Do not pull them back like a smile. Actually try and do the opposite. This causes the lip to firm up and reduces the size of your apperature, thus speeding up your air.

These things will make it easier, but you still need to pracitce. I would recommend practicing these techniques with your solo until your tired. Rest an hour or so and then practice some more. Don't set a goal of being able to get through it. Try to be able to play through it more than once in a setting. Try to make your air do the work for you, not your embrochure.

Answer 5

Well the number one thing is practice and if you are in a school band ask you teacher how to improve a little bit and try practicing like 1 measure at a time and do it slowly

Answer 6

try breathing exercices, it would help to be able to take in deeper breaths and be able to hold your breath longer.

try looking up a video called the breathing gym, it was made avery long time ago (seriously) but it is very helpful. we watched it in band once when we had a substitute. it is very helpful for wind players

Answer 7

Hey dude i also play the trumpet i am 1st chair. It is very easy. All you have to do is breathe from your abdominal area don't use your lungs. use your diaophram. when you in hale it is just like inhaling from the guts that is your diaophram. i mean it is not that hard really.