I have an urgent problem. My horn angle is too low, meaning that my horn angles downward at a steep angle. Although I have noticed this problem before, but lately my band director has as well. I have tried to fix it but my high register which is normally well into the doubles decreases so much that I can barely play an octave above concert Bb. My tone and control also suffers greatly, please let me know if there are any excersizes that I can use or different way to fix this problem. I realise that it is going to take alot of work but I am unsure of how to go about it. Whenever I try to force the notes out, my old angle returns. Please help me with this.

You mean when you play, you're body position makes the horn angle weird, or there's something wrong with the horn?

My embouchure makes the horn angle too low.

There are probably many things you can do, so you need to find one that suits you. You basically have to redesign the way you play, which might take some time and could be very frustrating. Here are some ideas off the top of my head.

Play with your horn above you stand. That way you can't lower it, or it will bang against the stand.

Do the same thing, but instead of the music stand (it's kinda high) just put a chair or two in front of you.

I have a student that learned the same way, with the horn facing about a 45 degree angle, while her face points straight forward. She is getting better, it just takes a while to really get used to it.

As for the problems while playing with the horn at the right position, just practice more. You will eventually get used to it the correct way. Do lot's of long tones, pedal exercises, and lip slurs. These will all help your range anyway, as well as work on tone and sound quality issues. Don't worry about your range, it will come over time. Just think lots of air, and projection projection projection.

Good luck-

Try this, I had a student a couple years a go with the same problem, but the problem was caused by a medical condition that a lot of people have called FHP(forward head posture) try to move your head straight back it may feel like your moving your sholders and chest forward. then see where the horn naturally sits. It might help, Remember keep your elbows up.

Are you serious? How in the world can your horn angle affect ur range? thats disgraceful to us t-bone players. Go throw ur horn off a cliff (unless its nice, then give it to me).

Cheers

Are you serious? How in the world can your horn angle affect ur range? thats disgraceful to us t-bone players. Go throw ur horn off a cliff (unless its nice, then give it to me).

Cheers

then you try playing your horn straight down...and then stright up...but at all the time keeping your face pointed stright out...point proven...

Well if you move your face with the horn like your supossed to, then you wouldnt have this problem. Its common sense, which some people seem to have none of. sheesh.

Stop being such a jerk. It really is a common problem, whether you have heard of it or not. Lot's of things can cause this, physical attributes as well as just bad habits.

I am POSSITIVE you have some bad habits as well, so stop making fun of other people and grow up.

Well Said Erik.
everyone has their very own "fundamenal" flaws whether these flaws make the player better or need urgent fixing. there is no one perfect embechure as everyones face is different. but I do agree that the horn should be facing forward not down. This problem could be caused by the way your jaw is aligned. If you have a huge overbight then when you put your mouth to the horn tyhe horn will naturally angle down. As some others said try putting something under your horn to force the way you play it up. Also practice doing lip slurs and intervals and your high range will indeed improve. It may take time but if it is a major concern then go for it.

Doug Elliott is one of the moderators on the OTJ forum. Sam Burtis is a very prominent figure there as well. Both are considered experts in this area and you would be well served to post your question there as well.
one thing to keep in mind. there is no one set horn angle for everybody. some play more up, some down, some off to the right, some off to the left. everyone's facial makeup is different. i play with a faily low horn angle myself. i have a large overbite and well as inward angled upper teeth. that doesn't mean i am doing anything wrong, i'm just playing what's right for my embouchure. do what works for you. but again, Doug is the man. I strongly recommend seeking his advice here. maybe prepare a few pics of yourself playing.

I understand your concern, but if you have good sound, register and articulation, the instrument angle is something of secondary importance. Just enjoy your playing.

you guys should listen to eric I can tell he knows what he's talking about. as for horn angle put your horn at about a 10 digree angle (from level). it's not too uncomfortable and dosent look lazzy. if you practice at 10 digrees(always) it will come naturaly.

and why exactly is a ten degree horn angle the "right" way ???
differences in dental makeup from player to player will dictate different horn angles. There is NO set angle that everyone is supposed to play. Try this....
Play a tuning Bb on your horn to get the pitch in your head (if you need it)
Free buzz the pitch. This is the most natural your particular embouchure will ever play it.
While free buzzing, bring the mpc to your face. Don't adjust your embouchure to the way you want to hold your mpc. Adjust the way you hold your mpc to work with your embouchure. This is the most natural angle for your mpc for your chops for this pitch.
While buzzing the pitch on the mpc, slide the horn onto them mcp. DO NOT adjust the angle of the mpc to conform to the way you want to hold your horn. Adjust the horn angle so the mpc angle is not changing.
You may be very surprised. The way you're holding your horn may feel wierd. But you will be holding your horn in a manner that is most cooperative with your embouchure's natural tendencies.
This is a Sam Burtis idea that I cannot take credit for. What it basically does is systematically looks for the correct angles for the equipment by matching those angles up with your natural playing mechanism. This really works if you do it right.