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pandawee Regular Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Posts: 12
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Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:11 pm Post subject: RANGE |
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I have been rendered extremely frustrated recently, as I have attempted to increase my range (which is excruciatingly limited to a G above the staff on a GOOD DAY), although I have been practicing daily with scales, trying to get it up. The problem is, I USED to be able to play that high, a mere couple of months ago, while in marching band. Why has my range just disappeared? I read somewhere that mouthpieces make a difference? That a 1/2C mouthpiece makes it harder to play high? (I use a 1/2c Bach megatone mouthpiece)- is that the problem? Should I switch mouthpieces? If so, to what? Is it that all of a sudden I am not suited to trumpet? I'm extremely frustrated. |
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Robert P Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2579
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Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Do you mean a 1 1/2C? With a 1C you should be able to get to at least a decent high C. If you can't, it's something you're doing, it's not the mouthpiece.
There's something off about the mechanics of how you're playing that's getting in your way. Unless there's been some injury or drastic change in your embouchure like you lost your front teeth, any "I used to be able to and now I can't" complaints mean that there's something you're doing differently. I'd suggest posting a video of yourself playing and also look for a competent teacher. How long have you been playing? _________________ Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C
Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Flugel |
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pandawee Regular Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Posts: 12
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Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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I have been playing for 6 years now. I don’t notice a change in what I’m doing, to be honest: mouthpiece in center of lips, lips tight, etc... |
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Trumpetingbynurture Heavyweight Member
Joined: 18 Nov 2015 Posts: 898
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Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:12 pm Post subject: |
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How long have you been playing? Do you have a teacher? |
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Robert P Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2579
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Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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pandawee wrote: | I have been playing for 6 years now. I don’t notice a change in what I’m doing, to be honest: mouthpiece in center of lips, lips tight, etc... |
The change can be very subtle - you're always walking a tightrope when you play trumpet. There are a lot of variables - teeth opening, how far your lower teeth/jaw are extending, how your lips are lining up with your teeth, oral cavity/tongue level, pressure distribution between upper and lower lip, whether the way you're tensing your lips is right, whether you're pushing enough air. If you can do something one time and can't another time, you're doing *something* differently, you just don't have enough awareness yet of what's going on when you play.
For what it's worth, it's something you'll deal with for as long as you play trumpet - no one is 100% consistent. Really good players just have a better percentage of getting it all lined up. _________________ Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C
Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Flugel |
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Billy B Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 6126 Location: Des Moines
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Get a 3C _________________ Bill Bergren |
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HERMOKIWI Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2578
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:29 am Post subject: Re: RANGE |
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pandawee wrote: | I have been rendered extremely frustrated recently, as I have attempted to increase my range (which is excruciatingly limited to a G above the staff on a GOOD DAY), although I have been practicing daily with scales, trying to get it up. The problem is, I USED to be able to play that high, a mere couple of months ago, while in marching band. Why has my range just disappeared? I read somewhere that mouthpieces make a difference? That a 1/2C mouthpiece makes it harder to play high? (I use a 1/2c Bach megatone mouthpiece)- is that the problem? Should I switch mouthpieces? If so, to what? Is it that all of a sudden I am not suited to trumpet? I'm extremely frustrated. |
G directly above the staff isn't a very high note. The mouthpiece isn't your problem. There are no magic mouthpieces. If your top note on a good day is G directly above the staff it's clear that you have fundamental technical issues which are unrelated to the equipment.
The fact that you've been playing for 6 years means that whatever fundamental technical issues you're having are very pervasive, to the point that you are probably just getting more entrenched in doing the wrong things and, so, will continue having these problems. After 6 years you should have at least a reliable high C (two ledger lines above the staff).
Currently you're experimenting and hoping for the best. That method is not going to work for you. You need to work with a qualified teacher who can diagnose your problems and guide you in the proper techniques consistent with range development. _________________ HERMOKIWI |
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dstdenis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 May 2013 Posts: 2123 Location: Atlanta GA
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:48 am Post subject: Re: RANGE |
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pandawee wrote: | I have been rendered extremely frustrated recently, as I have attempted to increase my range (which is excruciatingly limited to a G above the staff on a GOOD DAY), although I have been practicing daily with scales, trying to get it up. |
If your range has been topping out at a G5 on a good day after playing for 6 years, then I suspect either you haven't been practicing consistently, or haven't been practicing a well-designed program of skills, or have been trying to learn these skills but in the wrong ways.
You know what comes next: get help from a really good trumpet teacher.
pandawee wrote: | The problem is, I USED to be able to play that high, a mere couple of months ago, while in marching band. Why has my range just disappeared? |
No idea. Lots of possible reasons, but it'd be a guessing game without more info.
pandawee wrote: | I read somewhere that mouthpieces make a difference? That a 1/2C mouthpiece makes it harder to play high? (I use a 1/2c Bach megatone mouthpiece)- is that the problem? Should I switch mouthpieces? If so, to what? |
Yes, mouthpieces make a difference. Without seeing you, I have no way of knowing whether a 1.5C is a good fit for you. A really good teacher or mouthpiece fit expert could tell.
pandawee wrote: | Is it that all of a sudden I am not suited to trumpet? I'm extremely frustrated. |
I understand your frustration. No, I haven't read anything from you here that proves you aren't suited for trumpet. I do think you need to practice properly every day to develop the necessary skills.
I don't know for sure, but I strongly suspect that you will have to work on some basic skills before you think about adding a lot of range. (This might be why you're stuck: trying to add range before developing a good foundation for playing, or trying to play higher notes with bad form.) _________________ Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8910 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:57 am Post subject: |
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Lost range usually means your daily playing is out of balance. When that happens I usually try to ignore range and work on fundamentals for a while. If you don't have a good grasp of the fundamentals then you really need to get with a pro teacher and get shown what the fundamentals are and how to approach them. _________________ "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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NevadaBigHorn Regular Member
Joined: 23 Sep 2015 Posts: 82 Location: Minden, NV
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 10:06 am Post subject: |
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You wrote "lips tight". I don't know about everybody else but my lips are never "tight" and are fairly relaxed up to at least D above high C then very slight increases in tension. Are you trying to muscle your way to better range? In my experience that's a frustrating and inconsistent way of playing. Most of what happens in your body that enables high range happens before the air gets to the chops. Again, my experience. _________________ Scott |
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Robert P Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2579
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Who decided you should be playing a 1 1/2 C? Going to something like a 3C or 5C probably wouldn't hurt but it's not the answer to your issues. I have a 1C and a top of staff G on it isn't much more effort than on my high-note oriented mp. _________________ Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C
Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Flugel |
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rufflicks Heavyweight Member
Joined: 14 Mar 2011 Posts: 641 Location: Mesa AZ
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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My first suggestion is that you find a teacher that has a good upper register and has a proven method for register development. Easier said than done yes I know but if you want to improve a teacher is key.
Here is a range video play list. Within this channel there is a playlist that links to other channels with valuable information.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjtQbOLXI0BB_2bn5GjxlWCYsEM8DDVTH _________________ http://www.youtube.com/user/Rufftips
Remember this is supposed to be fun. |
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pandawee Regular Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Posts: 12
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for your tips, guys! I'm a highschool student and my teacher is a professional trumpet player. I see a lot of mentioning of fundamentals- could someone elaborate on this? I have All region tryouts in January and I need to be able to play comfortably higher by then. |
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pandawee Regular Member
Joined: 09 Aug 2017 Posts: 12
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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Marching season ended a couple of months ago- by any chance does that have anything to do with it? Increased pressure on mouthpiece? overblowing? etc; could all of this be affecting my ability to play currently? |
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HERMOKIWI Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2578
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Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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pandawee wrote: | Marching season ended a couple of months ago- by any chance does that have anything to do with it? Increased pressure on mouthpiece? overblowing? etc; could all of this be affecting my ability to play currently? |
Based on your original post you've never been comfortable playing higher than G on top of the staff. So all the things you've mentioned are not significant factors. It's not your trumpet, it's not your mouthpiece, it's not overblowing or fatigue, it's not any of that. It's the fact that you have fundamental deficiencies in your technique. If your teacher is a professional trumpet player then you should be consulting him/her and he/she should be able to diagnose your issues and give you information which will head you in the right direction. _________________ HERMOKIWI |
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