Finding center of tone

[Frasse]

Hi,

So i have a problem in my playing. I find that i far too often end up losing track of the center of the tone and as a result end up playing out of tune. It is quite annoying, because i can tune perfectly and then as soon as i play a bit i end up out of tune anyway because im not playing "in the same place" as when i tuned.

So i am wondering, how do you practice playing in the center of the tone? Does anyone have any method for finding the center quickly (for example during warm-up) before playing?

I have previously done some bending exercises. Bend half a note up, down and back to center. Bend down to next half-note, then switch to that note. I find both of these exercises, together with just playing slowly and ensure im in the center works to some degree. However, i would like to switch it up a bit and thus i come here looking for new ideas and perspectives on the matter. Hopefully i will find some new insights that can help me improve further
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Bb: Bach Strad 37
C: Bach 229 Laskey conversion
Cornet: B&S Challenger 2

[kehaulani]

Concone melodic studies, concentrating on intense listening and adjusting to your sound as you play.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[krell1960]

[JayKosta]

[cheiden]

The James Stamp method, preferably with the assistance of a qualified Stamp student. That method focuses heavily on what you seek.
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"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

[coraltrpt]

I would second both the Concone and Stamp. Cichowicz flow studies would be nice as well - always listening for that good center. Using a drone for each is paramount.

For drones, the TE tuner app has been a godsend during this whole mess. It even has a feature to match drones to the pitch you are currently playing. You can really dig into centering your ears. Options for both “just” and “equal” tuning. My 2 cents.

[Frasse]

[Frasse]

[Jaw04]

Record yourself a lot, also record yourself playing with a drone, piano, or with music. Practice with a piano or keyboard and frequently stop to play your music on the piano, back on the trumpet, and back on the piano.
Another trick I do to practice playing a particular passage better in tune is record myself playing, apply pitch correct software (auto-tune), and then play along with the auto-tuned track. I would never use auto-tune on a recording because it ruins the sound and its cheating. But I do use it to practice with to get a feel for what its like to play "perfectly" in tune.

[AJCarter]

[coraltrpt]

http://www.balquhiddermusic.com/brass-studies/cichowicz-flow-studies-vol-1?rq=Cichowicz

No bother at all - Thanks for pointing that out. I was referring to the Flow Studies linked above. This is what I use in my routine in any case. Not to be confused with the Long Tone Studies, which are another great resource.

[mike ansberry]

I practiced with drones for a while and found it helpful. So I wrote myself some half note/whole note exercises in various ranges with Sibelius. I play them with Sibelius with headphones. It has greatly helped me stay in tune.

Also work on audiation. Don't think about the mechanics of what you are doing. Hear the notes in your head while you play them. Also singing the exercise along with Sibelius will help.
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Music is a fire in your belly, fighting to get out. You'd better put a horn in the way before someone gets hurt.

[chapahi]

Have you tried practicing with earplugs? I got that idea from Mark Curry. He said it makes players gravitate toward the center. For me it works for tuning and some other areas of playing.
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Sima, Kanstul 1525 Flugel and Kanstul pocket trumpet. Olds Super

[Trumpetgas]

Practice flow studies very slowly focusing on blowing straight through the pipe.
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Trumpet guy

[abontrumpet]

Jaw04 is the closest to the main issue.

If you are losing track of your "center of the tone" it's not a pitch thing as much as it is a "tone" thing. You need to know when you are producing your best possible sound on the trumpet. You need to be able to imagine that and repeatedly produce it. That will largely take care of most of the intonation things and then it's all the good stuff that the rest of the people have said.

Bending a note is only good if you know the sound you want to bend back to. But ultimately, bends have a limit in "finding" a good tone.

Work on creating a great sound and record yourself to make sure you are producing it.

[JayKosta]

[mdarnton]

Just to repeat, because this is such a good and simple idea: practice with a drone. It's like being in the orchestra, or playing along with recordings, by providing you a constant reference pitch in the background, but in the simplest possible way.

[Tivolian]

Are there specific drone apps you folks recommend?
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Tivolian

[mdarnton]

https://tonalenergy.com/products/te-tuner/

[GCinCT]

The Total Energy Tuner is an excellent tool. I also have had success using this one: https://searchman.com/ios/app/us/515734094/en/haathi-software/real-tanpura/