Help with tone?

nchsbandrocks10 · 10-30-2009, 01:21 PM

I've been playing trumpet for almost 6 years and I've never really liked my tone. I don't really know how to work on it. Anyone have any suggestions or exercises I can do that will help? Thanks!

s.coomer · 10-30-2009, 03:39 PM

Lots and lots of soft easy playing and long tones. Then use the sound that develops when you play everything else.

dhbailey · 10-30-2009, 04:53 PM

And find a good local teacher to give you weekly guidance and can assess just why you're not happy with your tone. There are so many possible causes for a poor tone that it's impossible for people on a forum such as this to offer more than general suggestions such as Coomer's excellent suggestion which may or may not actually help you.

Markie · 10-30-2009, 06:14 PM

Here's something you might want to try.
Play long tones and imagine (yes, imagine) the sound growing out from your body.
You want to imagine the sound getting fat out from your body. Not loud but fat.

nordlandstrompet · 10-30-2009, 06:39 PM

What kind of music do you normally play?

There is a big difference between "marching band" and "hymn" styles.

I'm asking this because it could be easier to give some relevant advice
if we knew what style your present style is, and what kind of tone you actually want.

Al Innella · 10-30-2009, 07:10 PM

If you can,get some recordings of different trumpet players and pick the sound, tone, you most admire and try to imitate it.

rowuk · 10-31-2009, 09:00 AM

The only way to improve your tone is to experience first hand better. Find a duet buddy with a much nicer tone than yours, get a teacher to help.

DIY without a live model just will not work. Retuning your ears cannot be done with a CD or fantasy.

B15M · 10-31-2009, 09:55 AM

A chain is only as good as the weakest link.

That saying applies to so much of trumpet playing. There is so much that goes into what kind of sound comes out. Then the question comes up, what is a good sound?

Someone above gave advice on how to get a better sound. I know what would happen if you follow that advice because it's what I do. Maybe you hate my sound?

Your trumpet can contribute and your mouthpiece can be a big factor. Your body and idea of how to play the trumpet is a huge factor.

Give us some more information about you.

What kind of sound do you want?
Is there a player that you want to sound like?
What mouthpiece do you use?
What trumpet do you play on?
Do you try to relax when you play?
Do you put a lot of air through the trumpet?
Do you push the air?
Are you an edgy type of player? (behind the beat, "I'm the man type" or ahead of the beat "leading the charge")

Even if you don't answer these questions here, think about them when you practice.

nchsbandrocks10 · 10-31-2009, 11:10 AM

thanks guys!
i'm going to answer alot of your questions here.

i am currently playing marching band but i'm also playing concert band. my tone really doesn't change much between the two seasons.

What kind of sound do you want? a dark sound. not very bright
Is there a player that you want to sound like? i really like my best friend's sound
What mouthpiece do you use? 3C
What trumpet do you play on? a King
Do you try to relax when you play? generally, yes. there are some times that i am tense.
Do you put a lot of air through the trumpet? no. :\
Do you push the air? i dont really know how. no one ever taught me
Are you an edgy type of player? i'm usually dragging.

oh, and i do have a private tutor.

B15M · 10-31-2009, 11:18 AM

See below

Quote:

Originally Posted by nchsbandrocks10

thanks guys!
i'm going to answer alot of your questions here.

i am currently playing marching band but i'm also playing concert band. my tone really doesn't change much between the two seasons.

What kind of sound do you want? a dark sound. not very bright
Is there a player that you want to sound like? i really like my best friend's sound Someone that we know too
What mouthpiece do you use? 3C
What trumpet do you play on? a King
Do you try to relax when you play? generally, yes. there are some times that i am tense.
Do you put a lot of air through the trumpet? no. :\
Do you push the air? i dont really know how. no one ever taught me
Are you an edgy type of player? i'm usually dragging.

oh, and i do have a private tutor.

10-30-2009, 01:21 PM	#1
nchsbandrocks10 New Friend Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mansfield, Texas Posts: 14	Help with tone? I've been playing trumpet for almost 6 years and I've never really liked my tone. I don't really know how to work on it. Anyone have any suggestions or exercises I can do that will help? Thanks! __________________ Music give us, an escape from our drama filled, teenage heart ache driven lives. it give us a chance to actually be part of something amazing. it gives us something to believe in. 08/09 TPSMEA All-State Marching Band Champs Nolan Catholic High School Viking Marching Band = ♥ love is easy;; hate takes courage

10-30-2009, 03:39 PM	#2
s.coomer Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indianapolis, In Posts: 919	Re: Help with tone? Lots and lots of soft easy playing and long tones. Then use the sound that develops when you play everything else.

10-30-2009, 04:53 PM	#3
dhbailey Pianissimo User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 240	Re: Help with tone? And find a good local teacher to give you weekly guidance and can assess just why you're not happy with your tone. There are so many possible causes for a poor tone that it's impossible for people on a forum such as this to offer more than general suggestions such as Coomer's excellent suggestion which may or may not actually help you.

10-30-2009, 06:14 PM	#4
Markie Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Clarksburg, WV Posts: 734	Re: Help with tone? Here's something you might want to try. Play long tones and imagine (yes, imagine) the sound growing out from your body. You want to imagine the sound getting fat out from your body. Not loud but fat.

10-30-2009, 06:39 PM	#5
nordlandstrompet Forte User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 1,157	Re: Help with tone? What kind of music do you normally play? There is a big difference between "marching band" and "hymn" styles. I'm asking this because it could be easier to give some relevant advice if we knew what style your present style is, and what kind of tone you actually want. __________________ nordlands roarmp.com "When you play an Andante, people have to cry..." Maurice Andrè Olds Recording Yamaha 731S cornet Conn V1 flugel

10-30-2009, 07:10 PM	#6
Al Innella Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NY Posts: 613	Re: Help with tone? If you can,get some recordings of different trumpet players and pick the sound, tone, you most admire and try to imitate it.

10-31-2009, 09:00 AM	#7
rowuk Moderator Utimate User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 7,364	Re: Help with tone? The only way to improve your tone is to experience first hand better. Find a duet buddy with a much nicer tone than yours, get a teacher to help. DIY without a live model just will not work. Retuning your ears cannot be done with a CD or fantasy. __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

10-31-2009, 09:55 AM	#8
B15M Forte User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Monroe Ct. Posts: 1,733	Re: Help with tone? A chain is only as good as the weakest link. That saying applies to so much of trumpet playing. There is so much that goes into what kind of sound comes out. Then the question comes up, what is a good sound? Someone above gave advice on how to get a better sound. I know what would happen if you follow that advice because it's what I do. Maybe you hate my sound? Your trumpet can contribute and your mouthpiece can be a big factor. Your body and idea of how to play the trumpet is a huge factor. Give us some more information about you. What kind of sound do you want? Is there a player that you want to sound like? What mouthpiece do you use? What trumpet do you play on? Do you try to relax when you play? Do you put a lot of air through the trumpet? Do you push the air? Are you an edgy type of player? (behind the beat, "I'm the man type" or ahead of the beat "leading the charge") Even if you don't answer these questions here, think about them when you practice. __________________ "Taking plain notes on the page and bringing them to life is an art" - Tony Kadleck http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=238487314 http://webpages.charter.net/joespitzer/ http://www.trumpetwedding.com/

10-31-2009, 11:10 AM	#9
nchsbandrocks10 New Friend Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mansfield, Texas Posts: 14	Re: Help with tone? thanks guys! i'm going to answer alot of your questions here. i am currently playing marching band but i'm also playing concert band. my tone really doesn't change much between the two seasons. What kind of sound do you want? a dark sound. not very bright Is there a player that you want to sound like? i really like my best friend's sound What mouthpiece do you use? 3C What trumpet do you play on? a King Do you try to relax when you play? generally, yes. there are some times that i am tense. Do you put a lot of air through the trumpet? no. :\ Do you push the air? i dont really know how. no one ever taught me Are you an edgy type of player? i'm usually dragging. oh, and i do have a private tutor. __________________ Music give us, an escape from our drama filled, teenage heart ache driven lives. it give us a chance to actually be part of something amazing. it gives us something to believe in. 08/09 TPSMEA All-State Marching Band Champs Nolan Catholic High School Viking Marching Band = ♥ love is easy;; hate takes courage

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