Steve (457 points)
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You are driving home and often forgotten fact...
You can do all these exercises and all these miracle cures that people prescribe for you, but if you don't do them right, you're just going to spin your wheels. High range , low range, mid range all have the same basic principle. Breathe right, buzz the right pitch, and have the slide in the right place. When you think about it, trombone playing is really that simple. When there is a problem, it's generally one of those three things not happening properly. I'm not going to hazzard a guess over the internet. You need a good teacher well versed in diagnosing issues to watch you play. Maybe you're holding back your air. Maybe your slide is in the wrong spot and you're fighting the horn. Maybe you're just not used to playing up there that much, so you're not hearing the notes in your head and are buzzing the wrong pitch. There are many possibilities. It would be irresponsible of me to try and diagnose it online.
In theory, all those exercises you're doing should be helping. If they are not, there are other issues going on.
I will say this... I truly believe that it does take a long time to develop a secure upper register. But a day will come where a light bulb will come on in your head and the doors will open.
One idea... start playing simple melodies you know in tenor clef adding a sharp to the key signature. Because you know the melodies, you'll hear the pitch better in your head. Maybe some early Arban studies, or even some Bordogni etudes. Even the Flintstones theme, for that matter, just something you know well and can sing in your sleep.
Keep very relaxed, keep your corners firm and just get the air moving over your lips at just the right speed. As Arnold Jacobs would say "Find how easily you can do it!"
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