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lowtide89 · 07-02-2006, 01:25 PM

Hi, there, I'm Liz.

I've been trying to figure out (since the first time I picked up a trumpet) why I have a horrible high range. Most of the topics I see concern people trying to go for a double C (two C's above the middle one, right?) or higher, but I've been playing for seven to eight years and still can only scrape off a G2 (the G just above the staff?) when I'm lucky. Now, I know that something's wrong with the way I'm playing, because that's not normal. I have a great tone with the notes in my range (F# to E2), and great technique, so I'm dreading the idea that there's something so horribly wrong with my embrochure that, if corrected, would ruin my other skills.

But now I think I've found the problem. My dad's mentioned that, as a music director, a common problem with singers is that they tense up their throat muscles when they try to sing high. And I'm almost 100% certain that this is my problem. How can I teach my muscles to relax so that I won't continue restricting air flow?

Other little things to note:

I'm going to be a senior in high school, so people told me I have plenty of time to fix anything like this.

The throat tension seems to be psychologically induced, you might say. Every time I see a high note while I'm playing a song or an exercise, all the sudden the rest of my notes, even the ones I can play well, sound weak and squeezed out. It's a bad habit.

Also, to add to my point, when I give up practicing my trumpet for about a week (discouraged and procrastinating), as soon as I pick it up again and play a few notes, I can easily reach those G2s and A2s.

This problem is hindering my progress in range especially as a trumpeter, so any advice is much appreciated. Keep in mind that I'm 1st chair this year at my high school, and I have certain expectations to live up to, like at *least* hitting a G2! (small high school -- only five trumpeters, so I'm not outstanding; three are incoming freshman, and the junior is really bad).

------------------------

EDIT: I do realize that there is the distinct possibility that a question just like this has already been asked, so if I've overlooked a topic along these lines, please let me know where I can find it. (Yes, I did read the topic filled with advice on high range.)

07-02-2006, 01:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
lowtide89 New Friend Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6	Air Flow Restriction and Throat Tension Hi, there, I'm Liz. I've been trying to figure out (since the first time I picked up a trumpet) why I have a horrible high range. Most of the topics I see concern people trying to go for a double C (two C's above the middle one, right?) or higher, but I've been playing for seven to eight years and still can only scrape off a G2 (the G just above the staff?) when I'm lucky. Now, I know that something's wrong with the way I'm playing, because that's not normal. I have a great tone with the notes in my range (F# to E2), and great technique, so I'm dreading the idea that there's something so horribly wrong with my embrochure that, if corrected, would ruin my other skills. But now I think I've found the problem. My dad's mentioned that, as a music director, a common problem with singers is that they tense up their throat muscles when they try to sing high. And I'm almost 100% certain that this is my problem. How can I teach my muscles to relax so that I won't continue restricting air flow? Other little things to note: I'm going to be a senior in high school, so people told me I have plenty of time to fix anything like this. The throat tension seems to be psychologically induced, you might say. Every time I see a high note while I'm playing a song or an exercise, all the sudden the rest of my notes, even the ones I can play well, sound weak and squeezed out. It's a bad habit. Also, to add to my point, when I give up practicing my trumpet for about a week (discouraged and procrastinating), as soon as I pick it up again and play a few notes, I can easily reach those G2s and A2s. This problem is hindering my progress in range especially as a trumpeter, so any advice is much appreciated. Keep in mind that I'm 1st chair this year at my high school, and I have certain expectations to live up to, like at least hitting a G2! (small high school -- only five trumpeters, so I'm not outstanding; three are incoming freshman, and the junior is really bad). ------------------------ EDIT: I do realize that there is the distinct possibility that a question just like this has already been asked, so if I've overlooked a topic along these lines, please let me know where I can find it. (Yes, I did read the topic filled with advice on high range.)