Trumpet Problems! Experts help me please!?

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.