the trumpetguy

i am not able to lock in an e above high d and im not sure why.
i have been working on it for a while and get it occasionaly but 9 out of 10 times i am not able to.
What i truely do not understand is how i can get a d at a dynamic level of ppp with absolutly no pressure but the e just does not want to come out.
i currently play on a 2m warburton top with a kt star backbore and i play on the 2m top which is about the size of a schilke 20 because i have never been able to play on anything smaller eventhough i always have tried to get a smaller appeture playing quietly with as less pressure as possible.
any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks

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bach strad.
Warburton 2M with 5 backbore

Bear

Forget talking about equipment. Here is what works for me. First, try getting with a piano and work on buzzing with and without the mpc. This will help in centering the pitch. Bottom line: when the pitch is centered, it's easier. Really concentrate on making sure you are hearing the note in your head. Secondly, try alternate fingerings such as 1/2, open, 3rd. Sometimes, different horns/players slot better with alternates. If you do use an alternate, check the tuning!! Try not to analyze your physical self too much, I use a slight pucker too put more meat behind the chops. For me, that just creates a more stable embouchure. Everything should be "natural", feel good, nice n easy. Hope that helps.

Keep blowin',
Bear

__________________
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.
-C. S. Lewis

Life is about learning; when you stop learning, you die. -Tom Clancy

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
-Revelation 8:6

MLanghardt

Great advice from Bear. I wouldn't worry so much about equipment. What you have is fine. Make sure you really hear the pitch in your head and know exactly what you're going for. Practice some scales or chromatics into that register. I like to do the second clark study an octave up. 95% percent of hitting high notes is all in your head. Just know what you're going for and nail it with absolute confidence. The more you go for it the more you'll start to hit it.

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-Michael

"I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way." - Gustav Mahler

rowuk

High notes are based primarily on breath support and consistent practice habits. never "go for it" during practice. If your range "stops" at D, you are playing with too much pressure. If your sound just keeps getting thinner, it is your breath support. A good teacher is the only advice that really works in my not so humble opinion.

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

carltonsstudent

Locking in on a E (or in fact on any note)

As Carlton MacBeth told me many times: "There is more than one way to skin a cat". In other words don't keep trying in the same way. Try different ways. Here are a few different ways to extend your range.

1 - Extensions A. Go up to the note you can play such as D and without stopping go up a half step. To do this you might run the Chromatic Scale from D in the staff up to D above High-C and then go up to D#. Or run the D Major scale up. Blow Petal tones between each attempt, but only try this approach 3 times. If it works then repeat the procedure starting on D# and extending up to E. Play Pedal tones between each attempt to prevent the lips from tightening up. Take your time and keep going up until this approach does not work.

Extensions B. Instead of running a scale up, play the major Arpeggio for D and slur up to D#. If this works, then play Pedal tones and then play the Arpeggio for D# and slur up to E. Keep going up. Make only three attempts before trying another approach. In fact, practice your entire range in this way.

2 - Octave jumping. Play E in the staff and immediately jump up an octave with a faster air stream caused by increased air pressure and the Hissing syllable caused by the tongue up and forward. The high E should literally jump out of the horn with a shout rather than a squeal. A good tune to use this on is 'Over The Rainbow'. With this approach you don't give yourself time to tense up. Don't think that "now I'm going to play beyond my range". Just do it and don't think.

3 - Extend your range past the E. Say that you can play F. Now playing E doesn't seem to be such a big thing. What ever range you want, learn to play beyond that range so that you can look down on everything you have to play. Get to where you are looking down rather than looking up.

And then finally, as Carlton said: "Work to extend your range everyday".

A Schilke 20 is a big mouthpiece and was probably not designed to provide much range support. I used to play trumpet on a Schilke 18 and also a Cornet. John Clyman told me: "You have got to get that sound out of your mind." But if it is the sound you want then cool. I know its a nice sound.

skankin'dan

From my experience, there's a pretty big wall from d to e. What I mean is by wall is the next level of power you have to give. For example, going from g to a is rough, but once you make that, you can instantly play Bb(at that point you need moe juice to go further).

So my point is, you have probably just have enough juice to make it to d, but the difference in power is too great for you to make that jump. Keep working at makeing it to d, and someday you'll get your e

the trumpetguy

im not using any pressure on the d at all so it must be my air stream in some way.
thanks for your replys.

__________________
bach strad.
Warburton 2M with 5 backbore

Bear

Rowuk did mention something I overlooked (or often take for granted). Make sure you are using a solid foundation of air. We play wind instruments. Since they are inanimate objects, we must supply the proper powering mechanism. In this case, it is air. A solid, full bodied air stream can work wonders for any age player. I've seen 14yr olds who have been playing since age 8 or 9 play DHC. On the flip side, I've seen 40 yr olds who have only been playing for a few months do the same. Granted, they aren't the best sounding, but that's a different conversation. The only amount of pressure anyone should ever strive to use is just enough to make the seal around the lips and mouthpiece. Now, is you've ever looked at closeups of MF, Arturo, Chase, Bud Brisbois, etc... they all used textbook "too much pressure". However, they also used AMAZING air speed. I used to hook up a straw and pinwheel to the bell bend of my horn to measure air speeds and etc. Anyways, Rowuk put up a strong point, make sure your air is working properly too. There is a decent book that is a quick read you can find for free on the net called "The Science of Breath" that worked for me. Yes, it's one of those yoga crap things, but it sure opened my eyes on some physical moves that take place in the body. Ok, I'm rambling, take care.

Keep blowin'
Tim

__________________
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.
-C. S. Lewis

Life is about learning; when you stop learning, you die. -Tom Clancy

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
-Revelation 8:6

Al Innella

Are you pushing the air using your ABs? Arching tour tongue as you ascend? All of these may help, if not find a teacher who can show you how to pass this roadblock.