Guilty Fracker above the staff, help needed

[ZardiChar]

Hello, High Schooler here. Since Monday I’ve been responsible for multiple fracks within my section. (the day I write of this is Friday). As I am the 1st Trumpet Player in Big Band, I started fracking notes on very specific measures. Other than attacks and long tones with the sustained note, what else can I do to improve and frack less?

[starkadder]

Learn to play sax?

[JoseLindE4]

Make sure you can sing everything you play accurately and in tune. Pre-hear everything.

[Brad361]

Take private lessons. And practice, a LOT.
Seriously.

It’s a perfectly valid question to ask on a trumpet forum, but the internet is not a substitution for everything, this is something (among MANY others) you need a private teacher to help you with.

Brad
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When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[Robert P]

[brassmusician]

If you made it to first chair in the big band you have to be a good player who this doesn't normally happen to, right? What is different this week? There are a range of factors that might cause an episode of fracking. Could it be stiffness in your chops from too much playing which might be helped by soft chromatics eg. Clarke Technical Studies to improve response. Have your lips become dry or a bit swollen? Have you started using a bit too much pressure because the music is more demanding or your chops are a bit tired this week. How is your timing in the phrases you are fracking, sometimes trouble with rhythm can cause it? and don't discount psychological factors eg nerves. Whatever, this week will pass and it is very likely the next will be better. Good luck.
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[Seymor B Fudd]

[trumpetherald]

First of all, clamming some high notes is part of playing trumpet. It's a bit of a high-wire act, so don't feel like it's just you.

Obviously I've never heard you play, but I'll share one bit of information that may help and is pretty widely accepted among fine players that I have known.

Practice entrances on high notes with minimal preparation. Meaning, don't push the mouthpiece onto your face before the air starts moving out. Don't stop the air between the inhale and the exhale. Attacking the note should be one fluid motion beginning with the inhale. Train yourself to inhale with the mpc near the lip where you play, then immediately release the air without pausing to compress the air. It may or may not feel weird to do this at first, and it may even cause more clams for awhile. Your embouchure can set itself very quickly with training, work on this for a few weeks and your accuracy will likely improve. A famous teacher from a long time ago, James Stamp, called this a "most important point in my teaching." Also: "what pressure is needed is added after the breath."

However, the guidance of a qualified teacher sitting next to you is most important.

Good luck!

[dstdenis]

I find arpeggio exercises are really helpful for improving accuracy. Things like Arban pp. 142-151, Franquin 92-94. Franquin also has lots of interval studies that are like target practice--great for working on accuracy.

You can also improve accuracy by following the Mitchell books approach to practicing exercises: play an exercise once, rest, then play it again, rest, then play it one last time. As you're resting, think about specific things you want to do better on the next iteration, whether it's accurate note placement, rhythm, intonation, clarity of articulation or whatever. Multiple reps with focus on specific issues will improve your consistency and accuracy.
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[Andy Del]

So far, there has been some great advice, but only 1 piece of that advice is going to be accurate, this is because not one person here has seen and heard you play.

That advice is get private lessons from the very best teacher you can afford. There is no other way. The reason for this is, as good as the direct practical advice is, it is GUESSING as to the reason why you are splitting notes and what may be a solution for you.

The ball is in your court.

cheers

Andy
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so many horns, so few good notes...

[Brad361]