Hi, I've been playing the trumpet for about 5 years. I got braces about five months ago. I can play pretty good and smooth, in my opinion, on the lower notes, but I cannot consistently get up to a high E (below the top staff) or higher. Lower than that, I'm fine and play pretty smooth. Any advice on hitting those higher notes? I'm still kinda young, and I'll get better over time (hopefully) but what can I do get their quicker. Also, I've been reading about using air support from the diaphragm/stomach or whatever and I'm curious on how to do this.
Low notes are great for the chops, so I would say just play below the staff... having braces makes it nearly impossible to play high notes without hurting yourself so I suggest taking it easy until those braces are off and then start some velocity excercises such as the ones in Patrick Hession's method book (he was the lead player in Maynard Ferguson's band). Just curious, how long will you have them on?
Low notes are great for the chops, so I would say just play below the staff... having braces makes it nearly impossible to play high notes without hurting yourself so I suggest taking it easy until those braces are off and then start some velocity excercises such as the ones in Patrick Hession's method book (he was the lead player in Maynard Ferguson's band). Just curious, how long will you have them on?
well... I had braces for 2 years but I didn't play the trumpet then... uh, well they have this mouth guard thing that you can wear over your braces when you play... I've seen it online. other than that, sorry dude but you probably won't be able to play high notes without damaging the muscle tissue in your lips.
Scales, scales, scales - practice, practice, practice. Arpeggios (ascending and descending). PLay pedal tone scales. Do some exercises that develop the muscles of your chops (I know a bunch. If you're interested, let me know and I'll sned them your way.)
You are not just a musician, you are an athlete. You have to train like one. You have to understand that range is a reward for dilligence, not a goal in itself.
Do you have an Arban's book? If not, get one - it's our "bibl" in the trumpet world. I have never met a professional trumpet player (and I've met a lot over the past 43 years) who hadn't been weaned on Arban's.
Get one, play it faithfully, be as familiar with it as you are the sound of your mom's or dad's voice.
And - did I mention? practice, practice, practice...
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