I need a really great and a fairly quick ( i know there isn't a real fast way, but just as fast as its possible) way to build my upper register. I have a solo that goes to the high E (for B flat trumpet)
Above the leger lines. i can play the C fairly well, and the D is begiining to sound better, but its for the Maynard Ferguson "Gonna Fly Now" so I need a great way in the next month or so to be able to hit those notes and have them at least sound pretty good. Thanks, and I appreciate your answers.
2007-10-11 12:55:36 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
I don't play the trumpet now, but I did before. I found that to hit the high notes, I had to push the air faster through the mouthpiece. What I suggest you to do is to practice the higher scales and try hitting those notes. I am not a music expert though, but that is my best guess.
2007-10-11 12:59:56 · answer #1 · answered by whatwho11 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Gonna Fly Now goes up to an F# regularly on Bb Trumpet. I hope you knew that. I question how many people that just posted advice could play that chart. I'm guessing 0-2.
Anyway, despite that, there's been some good advice given. The best advice of all is to get a teacher and practice. Specifically, practice in the upper register. I learned to play high by playing along with maynard cds constantly in my early high school career. If you practice in that register, as painful as it may sound, you will notice the improvement very quickly. Don't worry about what you're physically doing to make the notes come, unless you're in substantial pain.
2007-10-14 15:44:41 · answer #2 · answered by ntlead9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try a shallower mouthpiece (maybe a 10C-12C and definately nothing lower than a 5C or 6C). The only problem is that you sacriffice tone with a shallow mouthpiece. To fix that, you can use a tone darkening sleeve.
I also found it easier to play a higher note and use an altranate fingerng to get the desired note, but that may be because I'm just wierd.
The only other thing is to practice every day for at least an hour.
2007-10-11 13:09:50 · answer #3 · answered by John C. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
right, i had this problem just trying to reach top F after I had my braces taken off just before my GCSE music exam! Nightmare scenario!
My brass tutor told me that all i needed to do was to play the not 5 times in a row until you get it right and then play it again to make sure it wasnt a fluke!
so all you have to do is play B (comfortable for you as you say you can reach C quite well) five times in a row until all of the notes are equal in length and there is no change in dynamic or pitch.
do the same with C but play B five time then C five times after you have achieved the note on its own five times.
do this with all the notes up to E and to make it even easier to achieve this note, do the same with F as well that way you will have a little more strength in your lips after you have played this note and wont have to worry about losing it half way through your piece!
try holding the notes out without wavering pitch after all of this and keep doing it day by day for an hour a day, no more because you wont get anywhere and will actually just weaken your embouchure.
playing scales like the chromatic scale will also help to achieve the note after you have done all of this and more breath will help to achieve higher notes the same as it does to achieve lower notes.
play for an hour each day repeating the process above and you will notice a drastic improvement.
I was struggling to get C when i had my braces off and had a week to 'learn' to play again as my mouth felt totally different after 5 years of dental work but after only 2 days i was getting E and F nearly to the point of perfection!
2007-10-11 22:24:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A shallow mouthpiece will help along with stretching your lips as thinly as you can. Pull the corners of your mouth up in a big smile. Also try angling your air flow up towards the top of the mouthpiece. Although you'll hear otherwise, pressure helps. Hold the horn as firm as you can against your lips without them going numb.
2007-10-12 05:45:03 · answer #5 · answered by tlk11067 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do lip slurs. Play notes starting from the middle C and go up by partials as high as you can go then go back down. In other words, play notes going higher up the register without changing your fingerings. Also, do slurs using only the E and the two notes below it with open fingerings. Try chromatic scales which go as high as you can play and then back down.
2007-10-11 13:01:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can't guarantee that you'll make your deadline, but the fastest way for a trumpet player to develop control and range is to stand with the back of your head against the wall while practicing! Try it.
2007-10-11 13:13:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK the lower you go the higher u can go just do the cromatic scale and every one In a while try to ad a not do lip exercises and lots of lip slurs i hope this helps
2007-10-11 12:59:53 · answer #8 · answered by Joe B 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ask your school if they have a computer program, or maybe you can get it off of the net, called Smart Music. My son uses it because I really can't afford lessons and it helps him get the notes right.
See link below for it.
2007-10-11 13:01:58 · answer #9 · answered by kaysue4 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i watched alot of people play and talk about it dont try to force it . just sit down or stand up either that is comftable for you and relaxe and let it all flow. hope it helps
2007-10-11 12:59:59 · answer #10 · answered by Kiara M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋