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chief757 Regular Member
Joined: 22 Oct 2021 Posts: 18 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:01 am Post subject: Low note embouchure helps high notes? |
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Hey guys. I recently got a tutor because I really need help on practicing and playing, and he suggested I work on pedal tones and lip bends. After a couple days of doing those, I discovered something really weird. I don't know if this is the correct way, but if I use my low note embouchure (talking f# to f low) to play high notes, It's basically effortless up to g or high c. Now, this obviously isn't a very high range for most of you, but to me it's pretty good. The only trouble I have, is that it takes so much focused air that my head starts to hurt. That, and I can't realistically play them. I can only play them by themselves without tonging. Back to the embouchure part, when I play the low notes the more fleshy part of my lips are facing outwards. Am I doing this right? Am I supposed to keep a set embouchure for my entire range? Should I work on permanently switching to this embouchure? Thanks |
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wohlrab Veteran Member
Joined: 30 Mar 2015 Posts: 131 Location: California
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Ask your tutor |
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JayKosta Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 3303 Location: Endwell NY USA
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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Did your tutor suggest or 'approve' the low note embouchure that you are using?
And if yes, then was it also mentioned that the same embouchure could/should be used for high notes?
Unless there was specific instruction from the tutor about embouchure for high notes, then I would not do 'self experimentation' with OTHER uses of the low note embouchure. _________________ Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'. |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8914 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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I've long heard that playing low notes can help refine your embouchure for playing high. But it's not clear to me that you're going about it right. The embouchure you use for playing down to and into the pedal register should be one that allows you to go down there and still be able to play up through your useful range without resetting. If you can't then you'd do well to find out why. Low note work done wrong can be counterproductive to your development. _________________ "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 |
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gwood66 Veteran Member
Joined: 05 Jan 2016 Posts: 301 Location: South of Chicago
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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I preface the following with, you should be discussing this with your tutor, he/she is the only one that has seen/heard you play. Do not be afraid to call them and ask questions in between lessons.
As Cheiden stated, you should not need to reset or contort your embouchure to play into and out of the pedal register. Your goal would be to minimize movement of the embouchure. You mentioned you have only been practicing a few days. I would recommend not getting to far ahead of yourself. Work first on making sure you are using good technique to get the (false F - C#) pedals to sound. Once you have them under control then start working on exercises that move in and out of the pedal register.
As you continue to play these exercises the embouchure should adjust on its own. But that happens after weeks and months of performing them correctly, not days.
You shouldn't worry about tonguing the notes initially unless it was prescribed by your tutor.
Your head should not be hurting. It should take less air to play higher not more air. It sounds like you may be overblowing. _________________ Gary Wood (comeback player with no street cred)
GR 66M/66MS/66**
Bach Strad 37
Getzen 3052
Yamaha 6345 |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9025 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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There is an embouchure that is formed like you're whistling. One can use this setting for Pedal Tones and the formation can be carried up into the stratosphere. It works for some, not everyone.
Also, pedals can be played differently and the embouchure formed differently and Pedal Tones can also be used for other purposes.
You need to know the purpose and rationalisation for using pedals. Ask your teacher where you're supposed to be heading with them. _________________ "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 |
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chief757 Regular Member
Joined: 22 Oct 2021 Posts: 18 Location: St. Louis, MO
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 8:29 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replys. I have another meeting with the tutor tomorrow so I will discuss this stuff with him.
Edit: Stuff came up for the tutor and he moved it to friday |
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