W Scott

Lazorphase,
Well, what exercises are you doing in your practice session? Are you warming up and going slow for a good ten minutes? If not, you're chops are really going to suffer. Are you doing lip slurs and quite a bit of interval work? That's what's needed for high notes. Are you doing long tones and working on getting the pitch centered and the tone as nice as you can? Have you sat in a dark room, played just one note at a time and REALLY listened/worked at the sound until it was right? You need to be doing these types of things or you'll never sound good. You also need to know that it's tough working through really tough exercises. Sometimes I get frustrated too, but then I look back over what I've mastered over the last few months and remember how frustrating that looked at the time.

And, if the exercises you are using are good and you are really practicing but still having problems---could it be the horn? The other day I was having a terrible time with my horn. The high register just wasn't there and I was missing slots all over the place. I finally gave up in frustration, went and did something else for a while. I came back and just sat for a while glaring at the horn. Then, I noticed that the third valve slide (the little one) had slid back a ways and wasn't tight. I pushed the slide back on and the problems went away! So, check your horn if this is a recent problem.

Good Luck and don't ever give up....................

Bill

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Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!

ScreaminRaider

Lazor.....You didn't let me talk when you IM'd me... you thought that I was one of these idiots that will automaticaly dismiss you because you're thirteen. I'm sorry if I came out wrong....I promise, I want to help you.


What I was gonna say:
You're 13..you are not supposed to be perfect yet. Don't let it get you down. Just keep working at it, you'll get it. I'm in college, and I struggle everyday with my playing (ScreaminTrumpet can attest to that one) And, I'm sure that every person on this forum is learning everyday. That is what I enjoy the most about playing my horn....constantly learning something new. So, just keep going into it everyday trying to better yourself. Go day by day...If you go beyond that, you'll freak yourself out. You've come to the right place for help. All these guys are here to lend support. IM me anytime if you have questions.


Jon

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Jonathan Wright

mheffernen5

I remember back when I was 13. I was in 7th grade. Now I am a junior and I think my playing has improved and my practicing habits are a ton better since now I am in high school.

Never freak out about not being perfect. Perfectionism isn't fun.

Tootsall

Laz, you don't have to "suck at trumpet". The very first thing you need to do is accept that learning to play and then staying on top of your game is a LIFE LONG HABIT.

Progress will come in fits and starts.... get used to it.

Patience and realizing that if you ARE patient and if you DO your practices & exercises & etudes properly, you WILL become a better or maybe even GREAT trumpet player.

Play clean, flowing lines. Don't sweat the high stuff.... it'll be there when you're ready for it.

Lazorphaze

correction, I'm in the 8th grade, thank you very much. and my birthday is in 25 days.

kdawg

oh your only 13?
I remember when I was 13 I barely had a high C, was still playing an old beat up conn director, my endurance was terrible, and I just played the trumpet cuz it was there.
It's amazing what 5 years can do.
Be patient, have fun, and whatever you do don't quit, there were times when i thought about it, but now I'm sure glad i didn't.