Increase endurance and range the easy way

[mhendricks]

Here's a simple way to increase endurance, develop tone and musical playing, all at the same time.

1. get your Arban's book out

2. turn to page 191 (or close to that) for the 150 Classic and Popular Melodies section

3. the first time through all of the melodies you are only going to play 4 measures at a time (or until the first place you can take a breath). Then you're going to rest for that same amount of time, sing the phrase back as musically as you can, actually sing it and get the air flowing out of you, just like you were playing it.

Then play the next four bar phrase, rest for the same amount of time as it took you to play it by singing it, then continue like this to the end of the song.

Now sing through the entire song with no rests, you can finger your valves while you sing.

You have just rested as much as you have played and you have rested again by singing the whole song through while fingering the notes.

Be sure to play with the most beautiful tone you can play, focus on your air support and the flow of continuous air through the phrases, and also follow the dynamic markings and articulations that are written.

Then go to the second song on the page and do the same as above.

Then play the next song on the page and do the same as above.

Play one full page like this, there are usually 3 or 4 songs per page.

So on the first day, play page 191 like this. If your chops ever feel like they are folding, you are done for the day of playing these. If your tone becomes weak or fuzzy, you are done for the day of playing these. The idea is that you should actually feel fresh at the end of this endurance building, if not then you are playing to long of a phase and not resting enough during your practice session.

On day two... start with page 191 as above, rest five minutes then do page 192 as above.

On day three... start with page 192 as above, rest five minutes then do page 193 as above.

On day four, start with page 193 as above, rest five minutes then do page 194 as above.

And so on each day (two page per day, staggered like I've mentioned) until you've played all of the 150 songs. If any of them are too difficult to just read and play musically, repeat those pages for a few days until you can play them easily before moving ahead.

Once you get through all 150 songs, go back to page 191 and now play 8 bar phrases, rest 8 bars, sing the whole song, play the next song in 8 bar phrases, rest 8 bars, sing the whole song, etc. ... then the 2nd day do two pages like this and follow the 2 page pattern as stated above.

After you get through all 150 playing 8 bar phrases, most likely will be able to play the complete song this time around, if not then practice 12 bar or 16 bar phrases as you do all 150, two pages per day, like above.

Once you can do the complete song, then rest for the same amount of the song, and do the next song... two staggered pages per day.

After this begin transposing the songs up one whole step, using the patterns above, two pages a day.

Then transpose all up a major third.
Then transpose all up a perfect fourth.
Then transpose all up a perfect fifth.
Then transpose all up an octave, with plenty of rest between phrases.

If at any time you lack good tone, or feel your chops folding.... this means you need to play shorter phrases and rest longer.

All of this takes discipline, but the payoff will be more endurance, more tone, more musicality, more range, and more enjoyment in playing the trumpet.

Remember... focus on tone, musicality, and air flow.

Give it a try, it works!

Mark Hendricks
http://MPHmusic.com
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[Derek Reaban]

Very nice approach Mark. Thanks for posting your thoughts on working through these melodies in Arban. While I'm sure I've played them all many times over the years, this is a unique idea to look at them in a little more detail. I'm looking forward to trying this.
_________________
Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe Winds / Symphony of the Southwest

[mhendricks]

Thanks Derek.

Another reason why this works so well...

By actually playing music and playing musically, you really work your chops in all ways (air flow, tone, intervals up and down, attacks, releases, slurs, sudden and gradual dynamic changes, and on and on...) rather than just brute force calisthenic exercises.

And it really does get you to rest as much as you play.

For most players who are trying to increase endurance, the "play 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes" doesn't work because they're completely shot after the 10 minutes. So breaking it down to real small chunks of 4 bar phrases played then 4 bars of rest, then rest the whole length of the piece works better many times for them.

And having a disciplined method of working through those 150 melodies gives us some direction of knowing what to do each day. We must be our own task master

As always, my best to you --

Mark Hendricks
http://MPHmusic.com
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[mhendricks]

By the way, this is not to be your warmup - do your daily warmup and get to this after you've done some other practicing in all areas. You can use the play, rest, play, rest idea when doing all of that too.

Mark
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[Crazy Finn]

This is something I was taught back in HS - more or less. It was less systematic, but I was taught the play 4 bars, rest and sing 4 bars.

Or maybe it was college. Can't remember. Possibly both.

Excellent post and exercise. Thanks for jogging the memory.
_________________
LA Benge 3X Bb Trumpet
Selmer Radial Bb Trumpet
Yamaha 6335S Bb Trumpet
Besson 709 Bb Trumpet
Bach 184L Bb Cornet
Yamaha 731 Bb Flugelhorn

[Jamesyoung423]

I was ready to make a snarky comment about the "easy" part of the thread, but this isn't any kind of short cut, just a nice approach.

[mhendricks]

Right you are James... there is no short cut.

This is an easy way to do it, it gets results and it's not hard to do.

Thus.... the easy way.

Your chops will actually feel good after playing and they will have a chance at developing real strength where it really counts.... musicality.

(plus tone, endurance, range, etc too)

Mark
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[visorboy428]

Thanks for the post. I will give it a try!

[mhendricks]

After you've tried this for a month, come back and post your results.

Would love to hear how it worked for you.

Mark Hendricks
http://MPHmusic.com
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[mhendricks]

It's been a couple of months since I posted this strategy. I'd like to hear progress reports from those who have actually implemented it into their daily practice.

It's not hard. It just takes some discipline.

And the results are well worth it.

Best,

Mark Hendricks
http://mphmusic.com
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[razeontherock]

[mhendricks]

This is really easy, it's not hard.

If playing 4 measures and resting 4 measures is too much, then start with playing 2 measures and resting 2 measures - just substitute 2 in place of 4 in the instructions.

For most players who are trying to increase endurance, the "play 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes" doesn't work because they're completely shot after the 10 minutes. So breaking it down to real small chunks of a few measures played then a few measures of rest, then rest the whole length of the piece works better many times for them.

And having a disciplined method of working through those 150 melodies gives us some direction of knowing what to do each day. We must be our own task master

As always, my best to you --

Mark Hendricks
http://MPHmusic.com
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[mhendricks]

Results anyone?

Best,
Mark
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[Bluesy]

Just now discovered this thread for some reason. A nice approach. When I have a trumpet or cornet in hand, I am usually too enthusiastic to sit idle while my chops regenerate - a stupid but unavoidable shortcoming.
My mind seethes with melodies, jazz riffs, arpeggios and tunes. I'm beginning to realize that only in Heaven, if I ever get there, will I be able to play to satiety.
With your approval, I will print out your method and place it on my Manhasset music stand next to Arban's.
My kingdom for some discipline!!

Bluesy/
_________________
Finally Beiderbecke took out a silver cornet. He put it to his lips and blew a phrase. The sound came out like a girl saying ‘yes.’. . . . .Eddie Condon/

[pfeifela]

[mhendricks]

LOL Larry... I've been called a lot of things, but never a "string player".

Give it a go everyone, it really does work.

(and yes, it does take a little bit of discipline )

Best,

Mark Hendricks
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[Avan]

While I think your suggestion is an excellent !!

Speaking for myself, I do not like any of the 150 popular Melodies in that book.

However I will try it with melodies I do like..................

I will report back later if still interested, in your suggested method............
_________________
1948 Selmer GP

" Man Without an Audience "
Album Release - 2017
" Mi Vida es Una Cancion "
Album release - 2022

USAF 1974-1980 E-4

[mhendricks]

HI Avan,

It will work with any melodies.

Just make sure they are written and you play them as written.

The power is in making your chops work as the music dictates.

By actually playing music and playing musically, you really work your chops in all ways (air flow, tone, intervals up and down, attacks, releases, slurs, sudden and gradual dynamic changes, and on and on...) rather than just brute force calisthenic exercises.

And it really does get you to rest as much as you play.

Best,

Mark Hendricks
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[mhendricks]

I've put together a downloadable PDF that contains info in this thread.

How To Increase Your Endurance The Easy Way

You can get a free copy for yourself and to give away to friends, students, and colleagues too.

Get it at:

http://mphmusic.com/trumpet-music.htm

Best,
Mark Hendricks
_________________

For info on all of Mark's books and more visit: www.MPHmusic.com

[cpbandman]

Interesting stuff I'll have to give it a try