As an amateur, I decided not practice above E, F above staff

[Sustained note]

I'm an amateur, not so young and on heart meds. I play in 2 community bands. I practice about an hour on days w/o rehearsals.
My high range practice has been "(not so) long tones Ascending" from Peter Bond's "The singing trumpet" (pg. 83). I find it to be excellent for this purpose. It also has plenty of rest periods.
One could take it all the way up to triple C.
Today when I started playing from it above F over the staff and higher, I felt pressure in my chest, a bit more than I was comfortable with and also felt a bit dizzy.

A sudden thought hit me.
Maybe I should be careful and for health reasons shouldn't push the limit, that is I should keep it no higher than E, F above staff.
I once needed to play up to Eb at the band (on Quincy Jones "Soul Bossa Nova") but nowadays I would never need to play this high.

I think that for amateurs, certainly those who have had heart issues (and those who had a stroke or are prone to strokes), limiting high range is wise. Definitely when you don't need it in your actual repertoire.
Anyway, this is what I'll do from now on.
_________________
Michael Greenberg

Giv'at Shmuel
Israel

Trumpet: Schilke B1 (2005)
Mouthpiece: Schilke Soloiste MG1
(Marc Geujon) gold plated
----------------

Keep a sense of humor.

[ldwoods]

I am struggling with endurance at this point in my "comeback". Here lately I have started really focusing on NOT going to my range limit, and it seems my range limit is gradually, ever so slowly improving.
I do lots of Clarks 1 & 2. On 1 I run through all of them, then redo some of them up one octave (only the ones I can comfortably "play" without excessive strain or mpc pressure). Also started doing a lot of the exercises in "Embouchure Builder" by Lowell Little and some of the first exercises in David Hickman's "15 Advanced Embouchure Studies". On a good day, after doing all that, I occasionally do some "Balanced Embouchure" by Jeff Smiley.

I anticipate someone will chime in with some "wisdom" like use it or lose it, but I would rather have it without undue mpc pressure so am taking it easy and it seems to be improving.
_________________
Larry Woods
LDWoods

[Denny Schreffler]

Somewhat in line with the post of Sustained note and ldwoods, Eddie Lewis spells out a “range” strategy in, “One Range,” —
https://tigermusicstore.com/product/one-range-trumpet-range-pdf-ebook/

The book is all text (no exercises) detailing a what-to-practice/when-to-practice regimen (basically using the music that you’re already practicing). There are no high notes or low notes, just the notes within your normal range, but, with a clear understanding of the concepts and fairly strict adherence to the practice schedule, your normal range will naturally expand over time.

Highly recommended for anyone in it for the long haul who is also a devoted practicer.

—Denny

[jhatpro]

Hey Denny, thanks for the Tiger tip. Just purchased and tucked it into my forScore.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[Bachatit]

Michael,

My first thought would not necessarily be to avoid notes above the staff but, rather, to ask myself why such limited effort is causing chest pain. Is this a question for your physician? Best, V

[Robert P]

If you haven't already you need to consult with your doctor. I wouldn't play another note until you do.
_________________
Getzen Eterna Severinsen
King Silver Flair
Besson 1000
Bundy
Chinese C

Getzen Eterna Bb/A piccolo
Chinese Rotary Bb/A piccolo

Chinese Flugel

[jhatpro]

Hey Denny, thanks for the Tiger tip. Just purchased and tucked it into my forScore.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[ldwoods]

[Voltrane]

Hello,
to the OP: you are not alone!
I was operated on April 19 for an inguinal hernia obviously due to trumpet playing (too high and too loud!) because there no other reason (except age!).
So exactly like the OP I decided that at 76, given the experience, I just need to keep a good, clear and musical range up to high E/F. Far enough.
I leave the rest to young people!
So I will change my way of practicing. And yes the books of Mr Bond and Mr Lewis, that I already own, seem appropriate to me.
Regards.
_________________
S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
Je m’empresse d’en rire de peur d’avoir à en pleurer (Beaumarchais)

[Sustained note]

[Voltrane]

you too
_________________
S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
Je m’empresse d’en rire de peur d’avoir à en pleurer (Beaumarchais)