B15M

Tony and everyone,
Thanks for the help. I have made a point of warming up every day with Clark and the problem went away.

I have been doing the Etudes starting with #2 and going through #6 then I sometimes go back and do #1

I'm going to keep this as my routine.

I'm playing lead tonight and will probably be beat up tomorrow so we'll see if the problem comes back.

Thanks again,
Joe

talcito

Hi Joe:

Whenever I am having problems with my initial attacks I use an idea that I believe was made popular by Carmine Caruso....it was taught to me by my teacher who is a ballet trumpet player and needs to make many accurate soft entrances.

It involves mental subdivsion. For example let's say you are coming in on a quarter note on bar 1......Just before you come in, tap your foot to the beat of two eight notes on the quater rest just before you come in. This helps use your foot as a mental baton. This kind of gears your body and your mind for the attack.....you won't feel like you are coming in "cold". Try it, it has worked for many players over the years.

Oscar

trpt2345

The Colin book is definitely still around, I make my serious students get it.

Michael McLaughlin

BergeronWannabe

Hey Tony,
Speaking of range, quick question...I've heard that certain players "break"
around certain notes. Meaning, some guys can nail G's hard and loud, but
A's and above are just squeaks (myself included). Have you gone through
this? And is it just a question of sustained upper register work?
Thanks so much,
Andrew

kadleck

Andrew -

I was talking to Craig Johnson about this the other day - I certainly do have a break (as do most lead players, I think). And it's changed over the years. When I was about 18, I had a double B & C but no A. Then I had a good A but no Bb or B. Now, I have a good G#, decent A, and virtually zero chance of hitting a Bb or B. I guess it just happens over time.

Certain guys seem to have no break - Roger Ingram, Wayne B., Eric Miyashiro (I'm sure there are many more). Roger told me to play the problem notes very softly, just to hone in their slots. My guess is that would be a good method - it just takes time.

Tony

BergeronWannabe

Tony,
Thanks, great advice. I've been trying to play very soft scales and sustain the upper register routine for some time now. I guess I just have to be more patient.
It's just frustrating because since I was 17 (more than a couple of years ago ) I've had a solid G, and the rest are just squeaks. And I can't remember doing this before to get that range. I'm kinda stuck...and I'm afraid to ask, but do some players just 'top out'?
Peace,
Andrew