No lead player!!! Fastest way to increase

quikslvrac · New Member Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 9

My jazz band season is about to start up, but our trumpet section has 4 solid 2nd part players, but no lead player.

In all truth, a little bit of range increase would benefit all of us. But personally, I'm at a loss as to what to do to increase my range even a few steps asap.

I know, playing high builds your high registers. But what are some SPECIFIC exercises i can do to help me get a little higher?

quikslvrac · New Member Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 9

I just had to post again:

I sound completely illiterate in my original post. The topic is supposed to be No lead player!! Whats the fastest way to increase range?

I fully realize that practicing playing high results in a higher range, but are there specific exercises that help with range building? My school's jazz band has alot of potential this year, only missing a solid lead player. I would like to try and build my range and try to fill the spot. I have no private teacher, nor can I afford one at the moment, due to buying a new Strad. I have about 2.5 months to get my range up, any idea on how many steps higher I can increase if I work daily at it?

PH · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2002 7:34 pm Post subject:

Go to the Caruso forum and read the thread called "Getting Started 1". There are a lot of excellent ideas on TH for developing your upper register, but Caruso is the one that works the fastest for the most people and the one that seems to work best without a regular checkup from a teacher.

[ This Message was edited by: PH on 2002-10-23 22:47 ]

Quadruple C · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Nov 2001 Posts: 1448

[ This Message was edited by: Quadruple C on 2003-10-01 22:04 ]

jhatpro · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2002 9:35 pm Post subject:

If I were you I'd drop an email to Frank Minear, former lead with Stan Kenton, and ask him to send you a copy of his "Double High C and Beyond."

It's a 34-page book that discussess the importance of correct breathing, tongue position, warm-up, and resting. The book also contains warm-up and range-building excercises to double high C.

It's the best book I've used. In about three weeks, I've gone from D to F above high C. Tomorrow I'm going for G, and I expect to be at Dubba by the end of the year.

For what it's worth, I'm a 61-year old comeback player who started playing trumpet in 1954 but dropped the horn out of frustration three different times for long periods before coming back to it again earlier this year. If I can get to G (and then C), you can, too!

Frank's book is $12, plus postage. You can reach him at fmtrptman@aol.com

Jim
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.â€ 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

tom turner · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2002 4:54 am Post subject:

Hi,

I've posted this before, on an earlier thread, but I recommend Jeff Smiley's new (and potentially BREAKTHROUGH) book on trumpet playing called "The Balanced Embouchure." He writes it as a helpful tool even for the person who can't afford a private teacher.

Jeff's book breaks through all the "bull" that goes on out there and will really help a person progress as a MUSICIAN who plays trumpet. His book is both educational and fun to read.

Most importantly, you'll learn to play the trumpet with a BALANCED approach that will give you wonderful results from the petal notes through the very high register with great tone, endurance and flexibility.

One an earlier thread, an experienced BAND DIRECTOR/trumpet player got the book and posted that HE was finally able to play all over the horn . . . as was his 1st chair student who had been having trouble before.

Jeff's method is wonderful. You'll love it! I'll try to find the earlier thread and bring it back up to the top so you, and others, who have not read it can see it.

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

DBLG · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 107

Try doing an arpeggio (sp) softly. It should last for about 20
seconds. Then rest 20 seconds. Now do the same thing up a
half step and so forth. Go as far as you can. When you reach your limit stop. Under no circumstance should should you allow
yourself to crash and burn. I recommend doing it with another
player. That keeps the timing right and also brings a bit of
competition into the process which insures both will keep their
focus at a good level.

Good Luck,

George Graham

_bugleboy · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2002 7:25 am Post subject:

George,

First, welcome to the Trumpet Herald! I will look forward to reading everything you have to offer.

You said to play an arpeggio. Could you be more specific as to what the notes would be?

What would the note length be, tempo, etc.

_________________
Charles Raymond

[ This Message was edited by: bugleboy on 2002-10-28 10:27 ]

DBLG · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 107

Hello Charles: The one I've always used is one that Arnie Chykoski and I cooked up in the early 60's when we were roomates on Si Zentners band. I have since published it and send half the money to Arnie. It's simple. Do mi sol do di re
It should be played slowly and there are volume things that have to be done. I still have some left. If you want to order it
the cost is $11.50 which includes two copys and S&H.

George Graham
14681 Riverside Dr.,
Apple Valley, CA 92307

billybob · Regular Member Joined: 07 Oct 2002 Posts: 19

RE: the original post by "quiks"

I suggest you don't concern yourself too much with high notes. Instead, your top priorities should be with your sound and style. You (or your director) can "revoice" your lead charts to fit your present comfortable range. You can then gradually add those higher tones when your trumpet playing allows you to - comfortably and with a good sound.

Keep working on good fundamentals with your trumpet playing - tone, slurs, tonguing, flexibility, etc. etc. When you are able, definately find a good and respected private trumpet instructor, and before long, those high notes will become easier.

You didn't mention what equipment you are using, but maybe you can find another mouthpiece, close to the dimensions of your current mouthpiece. For example, if you play a 3C, find a 3D for playing lead. This slightly smaller mouthpiece won't necessarily increase your high range in a significant way, but it will make your sound brighter and more penetrating, making your lead playing more satisfying to you.

Very importantly, find recordings of big bands (Basie, Hermann, Kenton, etc.), and listen to the style of the lead player. Try and copy what you hear, with emphasis on tone, articulation, dynamics - style things.

Sorry if I've said things you already know and understand. I don't know what your experiance and knowledge is on big band lead playing, but I hope what I've said helps you in some way. There is no secret to increasing high range quickly. Just work on making your "trumpet playing" better, and everything (including higher notes) will fall into place. Have fun!

quikslvrac · New Member Joined: 22 Oct 2002 Posts: 9

Already have plenty of big band songs on my computer or cd, so thats not a problem. Actually, I am using a 3C at the moment, and was already considering buying a 3D. Oddly coincidental is it not?

Hardest thing is, finding time to practice. Between Marching band, schoolwork, and things, it leaves me with only tuesdays and thursdays with much free time. 3 Weeks until USSBA championships, so I'll be able to get to work more then.

John Mohan · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2002 7:23 am Post subject:

Emb_Enh · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Posts: 455

play EVERYTHING on the horn with EASE......If you cain't.....you ain't got it!

Roddy o-iii<O
_________________
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"E M B O U C H U R E___E N H A N C E M E N T"
BOOK 1 also... BOOK 2 + demo CD

[Self Analysis and Diagnostic Trumpet Method]

trumpetdiva1 · Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2002 12:43 pm Post subject:

Yes, I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to George. I have found Caruso to work best for me. In my college days, I would try to extend my upper range by using chords for anything above high C. Usually, I would start out with F-A-C-F, F#-A#-C#-F#, G-B-D-G, and now very softly to hear the pitch I play A-C#-E-A. I also use to practice scales and Clarke studies to increase and strengthen my register. This led to some progress for me. Again, for best results give Caruso a try. I have seen the results in my lead playing in jazz orchestra from practicing Caruso. I highly recommend it!
_________________
Janell Carter

---
Listen to this sample: Michael Haydn Concerto for Trumpet - II (Allegro) -
http://tinyurl.com/hgzhq23
---

DBLG · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Aug 2002 Posts: 107

Thank you very much Janell. I look forward to getting to know
you and everyone else much better. I also hope to help people
fix their focus more on musicality and less on the demon high
note.

Love to all,

George
http://www.trumpetgeorge.com

Liad Bar-EL · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2002 7:54 am Post subject:

George!! Welcome aboard TH. Good to see you here.

Hey guys, if George who can play beyond the dubba C and make it sound as full and easy as a staff C, pay attention to what he has said: "I also hope to help people fix their focus more on musicality and less on the demon high note."

Be well and happy everyone,

BWC · Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2002 10:00 am Post subject:

I really like the arpeggio excersises in the schloshberg book. I dont know the number off the top of my head but I can find it if you need. I like this excersize because it works 3 octaves. I also like the Harry Glanz excercises. If I am short on time I will play each excersise on a different key. I will do 1 in G and 2 in Ab and 3 in A then skip to number 19 and do it in Bb 20 in B 21 in C 22 in C# 23 in D 24 in D# 25 in E and 26 in F and work on up in number 26 to the top of my range. The thing to think about is sound not the notes If the not dosent sound like you want it to stop and make it sound like you want it. The other thing to realize is that the upper register are just notes on the horn and not anything special. It is just like when you were in 7th grade and couldnt play that G ontop of the staff. Eventually you played it enough that your body just automaticallly knew what to do to play it. That is what you have to do with the rest of the range. The more times you play up there the more that those notes will just become a subconcious reaction by your body to playing the horn, just like middle C is now.

Bruce