Morris --- you are getting to be a mind reader, or else are "in tune" with me!!
I do a lot of "lurking" here on TrumpetMaster, reading everything that catches my eye. I almost had withdrawal the other day when the site was down.
Anyway, I was reading in another thread about "clocking" the mouthpeice and before practice today, and I decided to try it. I alternate and one day use the Barrington trumpet and the next the Holton cornet -- yesterday happened to be the Barrington's day so I started with it.
I was simply playing open and going up and seeing how the tone, slotting, and ease of playing were in different positions and when I got to the 6 o'clock position, I got to and held for about a second -- are you ready for this -- high E above the staff!!
I noticed that high C's seemed to be coming easier, also. Needless to say, I immediately got out the Holton and tried the same experiment. Now, I am using Parduba 6.5 mp's in both horns. I found the Holton likes about a 4-5 o'clock position, but I could not go as high with it, only to a C and a B comfortably. Maybe I was getting tired.
I have noticed that when I try seeing how high I can get at the beginning of my practice, I only last about 1/2 hour and the the lips are shot. Even if I stop for a couple hours and try to come back for more, it isn't good. If I don't push for the high notes, I can go for about 45minutes, leave it for awhile and the go for another session, no trouble. I think that I will limit my trys for the high stuff to once a week and see how I do then and concentrate on everything else the rest of the week -- God knows I need everything else more than I need range at this point!!!
I am having a lot of fun, but I do wish I had gotten a trumpet those many years ago when I was ten instead of the clarinet, damn those front teeth!!! I think I could have been a fair player, now if I play 5 lines of music in a row, I don't have any air left thanks to this COPD!! By the fifth line, half notes start to pick up vibrato which isn't intentional -- it's just the way the air flow is being forced.
"I COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER!!"
Anyway, that's where I am progress wise -- today is Holton day!!