Double High C in 37 Weeks

BeboppinFool · Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2002 10:24 am Post subject:

I'm interested in hearing the response of those of you who are familiar with this book. Does it work?

Rich
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Puttin’ On The Ritz

BeboppinFool · Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2002 7:16 am Post subject:

Pete · Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2002 2:30 pm Post subject:

Many years ago when I was a kid, someone gave me this book. It was written by Roger Spaulding back in the '60's. Much of the information is credible, but you can achieve similar results with intelligent daily practice. The most difficult part of the book was to play every other day, during certain parts of the book. This is difficult to adhere to if you have gigs, or resposibilities as a music student. Other parts of the book remind me of Claude Gordon's books and info.

Pete

_Japle · Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2002 3:54 pm Post subject:

Rich,

Back in the late '60s when I was a 'bone major I bought a copy and found it helpful - up to a point. I increased my range to well over double high Bb, but my actual playing range was nearly an octave lower. The problem was, the book uses mostly arpeggios for range building and music isn't played that way. The most demanding work for a brass player is long, sustained high passages, not arpeggios. Once I figured this out, I started playing my usual music up an octave and then taking a day or two off to rest whenever possible. My playing range increased along with my endurance.
These days I prefer the Caruso method taught, if at all possibe by someone who's taken lessons from Carmine himself.

John
Cape Canaveral

BeboppinFool · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2002 8:19 am Post subject:

John,

I appreciate your input . . . thanks, man!

Rich

P.S. Liad, we're getting there, aren't we?
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Puttin’ On The Ritz

trombapaul2 · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2002 8:57 am Post subject:

Hi Rich,

I bought the book about 1-1/2 years ago and have attempted to work it twice now, both times to glowing failure. The main reason I put it down each time was I could not make the commitment of not playing anything else for the required length of time. Spaulding states "for the next 37 weeks, you should only play the exercises in this book". That makes playing gigs you've commited to pretty difficult. The other reason I dropped it was I was finding myself unable to play my smaller horns (Picc and Eb). Playing pedal exercises on a .460 bore horn messes me up on smaller bore horns. I understand that this is temporary but that gets back to gigs already on the calendar. One can't walk into a wedding or a Baroque program sounding like crap!!

In looking through the book, I can see where the system would work. I am a firm believer in the concept of "the lower you can play-the higher you can play". I just need 2/3 of my calendar blank before trying it again. Good luck!

Paul
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"NEVER practice...ALWAYS perform" (Bud)

"NEVER look at the trombones...it only encourages them" (R. Strauss)

"What the hell does sound have to do with music?" (Charles Ives)

Keith Wood · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2002 2:23 pm Post subject:

I bought the book in 1997, and have corresponded often with Mr. Spaulding since then. I used the book with my own schedule, similar to an exercise routine and it was great. I am now IN the book, which was a nice surprise. Feel free to contact me if you have questions. I think it is a great book, but you may have to take the MATERIAL and make it fit your own schedule. All the best,
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God's Peace,
Keith Wood

Janski · Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2002 7:40 am Post subject:

Hey you all!

About the wonderfulness of playing veery extreme-super-hyper-giga high!

--> http://www.tasteebros.com/

Aaah, I just wish that I coud play like them!

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- Janski

mikevax · Regular Member Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 30

I think the basic premis is that it didn't work 30 years ago and it doesn't really work now. First of all, who has time to lay off the horn that much.
My whole philosophy of trumpet playing is just the opposite. The Lord may have been able to rest on the Sabbath, but serious trumpet players must play seven days a week. Range comes from endurance, not the other way around.
There is no short cut to good trumpet playing, it just takes patience and work.
Mike Vax

Strawdoggy · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 5:03 am Post subject:

Wow, Mike Vax! Welcome Mike.

Can you share your endurance/range building experiences with the rest of us when you get a chance?

Steve

trombapaul2 · Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2002 8:55 am Post subject:

Janski · Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2002 2:40 pm Post subject:

Hey!

I'll vote for Mike!
Here in Europe we do not have this "have-to-reach-to-dubbadubba-X" thinking.
I myself belong to the Hungarian school of brass playing and I like it.
Everyone is a individual who have his weak and good points as a player.
I myself cant play dubbadubbadubba Xtreme high, I'm fine with that.
I wonder why we *all* have to play THE xtreme-giga-hyper register befor we
learn how to breath correctly?
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- Janski

mikevax · Regular Member Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 30

Wow, one of my FAVORITE trumpet players in the world lives in Hungary. Do you know George Geiger? What a monster he is!!!!!!!! Great guy too.
Mike Vax

4Him · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 1:53 am Post subject:

Mike-

"...range comes from endurance, not the other way around." As simple as that sounds, you reminded us of something pretty profound.

So many formulas, step-by-step methods, so many do's, so many don't's have been published and sworn by. No doubt, many of them have their merits. However, as you have reminded us, regular, consistent PRACTICE builds endurance, and range (along with most everything else that denotes "good" trumpet playing) naturally flows from endurance.

I can buy that, Mike. Thanks.

One question, Mike. What, in your opinion, makes for the right kind of practice. It occurs to me that regular, consistent practice done poorly and consisting of the wrong stuff might be counter-productive. Your thoughts on this????

Ken