Upper Range gone to...

[Richardrichard9]

Well I am not going to say it, but I am sure you know what word I was referring to.

In the past week, I have been struggling to get in the upper range, even on pieces that I could before. This isn't even the extreme upper range that I am talking about, just High Bb-D.

Are there any good exercises that I can do to try to extend my upper range capabilities, as well as make it easier to get up there?

[Todd S. Malicoate]

Well I am not going to say it, but I am sure you know what word I was referring to.

In the past week, I have been struggling to get in the upper range, even on pieces that I could before. This isn't even the extreme upper range that I am talking about, just High Bb-D.

Are there any good exercises that I can do to try to extend my upper range capabilities, as well as make it easier to get up there?

No magic exercise, but you can use the most basic books (Bordogni, Rochut, etc.) up an octave for source material. I'm a big fan of the very basic Arban exercises...put them in different octaves, and all keys (that should be enough to keep anyone busy!).

If you're having trouble playing in the high register, you have to practice more in the high register. Not all at once, but start in the middle registers and work your way up gradually. Consistent work is the key here, and there is no "quick fix."

This is exactly why I suggested you spend more time on practicing tuba and avoid bass trombone for now...assuming, of course, that your goal is to be a really, really good tuba player. You said in that thread you were only practicing one hour a day on tuba. You shouldn't be surprised that this is the result...one hour a day simply isn't enough for the goals you profess to be striving for.

Sorry if that sounds overly harsh...it isn't meant to, just direct and honest. I wish you the best of luck in all your musical pursuits.

[Tubaing]

If you're having trouble playing high...

I'd suggest doing articulation exercises in the stratosphere.

[windshieldbug]

If you're having trouble playing high...

[Todd S. Malicoate]

If you're having trouble playing in the high register...

Some of you have very quick and sharp wits...my congratulations!

[eupher61]

Seconds to Todd, unless you want to be a trombone player who doubles tuba.

Buzz in that register, mouthpiece only. Make SURE you are on pitch: play it on piano, sing it, buzz it, buzz while playing piano, vamp till ready.

Use lots of air when buzzing, you WILL get a buzz at first. Listen to pitch, pay attention to articulations, watch in a mirror to check for unnecessary movement in the jaw and lips.

[Richardrichard9]

I actually haven't practiced the Bass trombone since my last topic about it.

But the odd thing is, last week I was playing a solo, and I had little to no trouble getting up to higher register. But today I went to play the same piece, and getting up there was causing me difficulties.

[djwesp]

Everytime this subject comes up we always hear all about the musculature and physicality of the embouchure. I think there is entirely too much focus on the physical aspects of playing high.

Personally, I would think there are several reasons your high range is suffering currently. Most of which have to do with ear training and the "summertime mentality". One of the greatest aspects of playing in ensembles (like at your school) is that you are constantly keeping your ear and the inner musician going. In the summertime people tend to step away from the instrument for days, then come back expecting to be able to do what they were doing before. Physically, you do not lose very much by stepping away, but for most our pitch memory leaves very quickly (for some, hours). If you can not sing these pitches easily (not necessarily in the right octave), you have little chance of playing them.


I think that if you really focus on sitting down with a keyboard, sight singing, and catching the inner musician and ear back to where they should be, you are fine. Some mouthpiece buzzing would also be very good, just for the coordination of connecting that ear to what comes out of your buzz.


Don't sweat it. If young children can play high Cs on trumpets, monkeys can buzz high (roger!), and even extremely old atrophy filled jazz trumpeteers and trombonist... there is little reason to believe that anything physically (other than maybe a gross embouchure problem, which no one is going to be able to diagnose or treat on tubenet) is holding you back.


Wes "not a good teacher, just a contrarian" Pendergrass

[Roger Lewis]

If it was working the day before, and you pushed yourself hard in that session - take a break and give the muscle tissue that you broke down a chance to recover and rebuild.

Otherwise - look to your air. Often we tend to use too little air in that register and if you are being lazy with your air that would cause quite the difference. I would look at this first.

Peace.
Roger

[TubaCoopa]

I found this to be very helpful, courtsey of The Jackson.