Describing how to play higher to a beginning student

Jimi Michiel · 03-14-2008, 01:01 PM

Hey guys,

For the first time in my life I've been teaching a lot of beginners. Everything is going pretty good, but I've had trouble getting my students to play higher (think C, D in the staff) without telling them to "tighten up" or "add tension." Both of these are horrible things to say to an impressionable student, but they usually achieve results. Anyone have a more PC way to explain how to play higher?

Thanks,
Jimi

MJ · 03-14-2008, 01:08 PM

I don't think they are as bad as you might think. Sometimes you just got to tell them. I'm not suggesting you advise "tigtening up" or "tension" week in and week out. But sometimes the kid might need to hear it.

Patric_Bernard · 03-14-2008, 01:11 PM

You could ask them to try raising the back of there tounge up. With the ahh eee syllables. Or if your teething them with corners, have them feel the corners of there lips without the mouthpiece on there chops. then have them put the mouthpiece on there chops and get into a playing position, and feel the corners again. Then have them try and flex, or tighten that up.

s.coomer · 03-14-2008, 01:38 PM

How about telling them "more air." What makes our lips vibrate faster? Air. They(the students) will tighten up anyway just trying to reach the note. Telling them to tighten up will only result in them playing with more tension and pressure. The more we press we end up fighting ourselves by not letting our corners work.

mchs3d · 03-14-2008, 05:50 PM

Well, here's what's worked with me and my teacher. When I'm trying to play high, he tells me to think down. This might seem counter-intuitive, but it really works. Also, it would probably be beneficial to do Clarke Study #1 to their highest solid note. If they practice these scales everyday, their range should improve.

RG111 · 03-14-2008, 06:05 PM

How about "blow a faster stream of air" ? In other words, the higher the note, the faster the air. Then, play the note for them and show them how easy it is.
Roy Griffin

trptcolin · 03-14-2008, 06:33 PM

I generally use something along the lines of "Put your lips CLOSER TOGETHER and blow FAST."

Then if there are problems with tension, I point them out and ask them to relax whatever seems to be the tightest (usually the tongue/throat, honestly, but sometimes the lips).

With most students, this seems to help a lot with high range. Especially if they practice.

DarkKnight88 · 03-14-2008, 06:35 PM

Just tell them to use a faster, more concentrated stream of air. Tell them to tense up a little, but not to much.

trpt2345 · 03-15-2008, 10:00 AM

"Blow faster, tighten the corners of your lips." Or I'll stand across the room and say "Hit my hand with your air stream."

Michael McLaughlin

BlackWhite · 03-15-2008, 12:22 PM

What I did was tell my juniors,the higher they wann go,the faster their air speed must be,the tighter their lips,the stronger thier embouchure and the smaller the whole in their lips.

Also depends on what age group.

03-14-2008, 01:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Syracuse/Fort Worth Brand: Monette Posts: 1,671	Describing how to play higher to a beginning student Hey guys, For the first time in my life I've been teaching a lot of beginners. Everything is going pretty good, but I've had trouble getting my students to play higher (think C, D in the staff) without telling them to "tighten up" or "add tension." Both of these are horrible things to say to an impressionable student, but they usually achieve results. Anyone have a more PC way to explain how to play higher? Thanks, Jimi
	__________________

03-14-2008, 01:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
MJ Forte User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,568	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student I don't think they are as bad as you might think. Sometimes you just got to tell them. I'm not suggesting you advise "tigtening up" or "tension" week in and week out. But sometimes the kid might need to hear it.
MJ Forte User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,568	__________________

03-14-2008, 01:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Patric_Bernard Forte User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Brand: Bach, Schilke, Getzen Posts: 1,925	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student You could ask them to try raising the back of there tounge up. With the ahh eee syllables. Or if your teething them with corners, have them feel the corners of there lips without the mouthpiece on there chops. then have them put the mouthpiece on there chops and get into a playing position, and feel the corners again. Then have them try and flex, or tighten that up.
	__________________ Bach Omega Bach 3C Bach 3c Megatone Berkley Cornet Bach Cornet 3C Teachers Arbans book, Clarke Studies Book. Nick Drozdoff's online lessons and words of wisdom through email.

03-14-2008, 01:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
s.coomer New Friend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indianapolis, In Posts: 42	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student How about telling them "more air." What makes our lips vibrate faster? Air. They(the students) will tighten up anyway just trying to reach the note. Telling them to tighten up will only result in them playing with more tension and pressure. The more we press we end up fighting ourselves by not letting our corners work.

03-14-2008, 05:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
mchs3d Pianissimo User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 99	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student Well, here's what's worked with me and my teacher. When I'm trying to play high, he tells me to think down. This might seem counter-intuitive, but it really works. Also, it would probably be beneficial to do Clarke Study #1 to their highest solid note. If they practice these scales everyday, their range should improve.
mchs3d Pianissimo User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 99	__________________ Now... who in their right mind doesn't want a $3000 trumpet for free?

03-14-2008, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
RG111 Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 261	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student How about "blow a faster stream of air" ? In other words, the higher the note, the faster the air. Then, play the note for them and show them how easy it is. Roy Griffin
RG111 Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 261

03-14-2008, 06:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
trptcolin New Friend Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 31	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student I generally use something along the lines of "Put your lips CLOSER TOGETHER and blow FAST." Then if there are problems with tension, I point them out and ask them to relax whatever seems to be the tightest (usually the tongue/throat, honestly, but sometimes the lips). With most students, this seems to help a lot with high range. Especially if they practice.

03-14-2008, 06:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
DarkKnight88 New Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tallahassee/Bradenton, Fl Brand: Besson, Bach, Yamaha, ect Posts: 30	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student Just tell them to use a faster, more concentrated stream of air. Tell them to tense up a little, but not to much.
	__________________ Music...The sound of the soul.

03-15-2008, 10:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
trpt2345 Mezzo Forte User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 747	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student "Blow faster, tighten the corners of your lips." Or I'll stand across the room and say "Hit my hand with your air stream." Michael McLaughlin
	__________________ Chicago MM

03-15-2008, 12:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
BlackWhite Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 82	Re: Describing how to play higher to a beginning student What I did was tell my juniors,the higher they wann go,the faster their air speed must be,the tighter their lips,the stronger thier embouchure and the smaller the whole in their lips. Also depends on what age group.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How to play higher the easy way	GordonH	Trumpet Discussion	2	02-10-2008 08:10 PM
How to play higher notes with no pressure.	Patric_Bernard	Trumpet Discussion	12	01-25-2008 05:20 AM
Need some help with a beginning student...	James Smock	Trumpet Discussion	10	03-13-2007 03:49 PM
Lip rolling under as I play higher?	silverstar	Trumpet Discussion	7	10-19-2005 09:17 AM
Need to play higher, should I gain weight?	cookiemonster	Trumpet Discussion	8	10-17-2004 03:03 AM

Unleash Your Anger
Copyright 2006 TrumpetMaster.com	All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:15 PM. Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v2.2.0/Links 1.01 Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.9 Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.0.0 RC8