| Brad,
An inconsistent sound in the upper register can have to do with many things as TG points out. I'm willing to bet, however, that
1) you're not approaching what you do with high notes in the same way as with the middle and lower notes
or
2) what you are doing in the middle register may be flawed and is more apparent in the upper register.
You have to make sure that you aren't pressurizing so much inside your mouth that you can barely move in a relaxed way. The pressurizing is cause by raising your tongue up so high as a result of a very tight stomach.
Take a breath and just quietly go toh-toh-toh-toh-toh while exhaling in a relaxed way. Don't activate the vocal chords. If it sounds like tsu-tsu-tsu-tsu-tsu, your tongue is high and in the way.
It's like an exasperated sigh, gently interrupted by the tongue to produce the repeated toh sound I mentioned. Middle, high, or low, this is the approach that will deliver best results if you're looking for a richer quality to the sound. If you replace internal pressure with a relaxed release, you'll be rid of the fracks you're talking about provided you're playing in the center of the tone.
Good luck,
ML |