| Hey Derek,
My best advice is to play scales that approach and go beyond your breaking point - major and minors - paying attention to intonation and sound, not what your chops are doing. Also, play some etudes that linger in the upper register or even play some of your favorite lyrical tunes in keys that linger around the break. Sing - IRON - through the breaks. Doing that consistently with time will do the trick and will guide you in finding where to place those notes. Don't try to "fix" the hurdle with exercises. It just exacerbates frustration and tension. Use faster air to support your singing - ironing - and let the lips ride against it, staying supported.
I am glad you are a fan of Jim's method. I find it to be an efficient way to keep things in check. I like to vacillate between Stamp and Thompson as my anchors.
Does this help in the slightest? It is a bit late for me, but I didn't want you to think I forgot about you. |