Hi Morris,
I think I would have to be classified as a downstream player if I understand all that stuff correctly. I seem to be just about centered but favor a little more upper lip in the mp than lower. I also find that I tend to slightly tip the horn down for low notes and up for higher notes. Don't know how this works for others, but it seems to work for me.
As for given a choice of range or tone, I'll take tone. No offense to anyone who does/can/likes it, but to me, ANY brass instrument played WAY up there is more screeching than music. It's good for show and I respect what it represents, but it doesn't sound good to me, just my opinion. Now, remember, I'm talking WAY up there, high C ain't there!! Before I get jumped on, I don't mean an occassional note in a classical piece or something, I guess what I am referring to, and again just my opinion and taste, is some jazz where it is so high and so long that I want to look for ear plugs cause it hurts!!! And even then, I do respect what that represents and know that it is something that I will never ever be able to do, but I don't care for it. For me, as I said, tone is more important than a super large range.
OK, flame suit on! Be gentle -- it's only good for 500 degrees F.
