How I Play High Notes! | "U for Upper Register" | Trumpet A-Z, S01E21

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Here’s the keys to the kingdom, folks. All questions and feedback welcome, as ever - just be polite 😄

[@DoubledDeck]

Bryan, Hi there, I have watched a handful of your videos... First off let me say cool, I like the discussions/lecture lessons and tidbits of info. Anyway, the reason I am posting this (and I would prefer if it were private) is to comment on a past post (3months ago), where a person argued with your description of your use of diaphragm and abdominal musculature. first off yes they are right that in their description of how the diaphragm works to create negative pressure (vacuum) to fill the lungs. ...And so on, I too am a physiology student and am not going to go on about my studies background or experience. The fact is, it is hard to describe what is going on inside your body from anecdotal information and experiential evidence. I think you did a fine job at explaining how you perceive what is happening (the feel) and it will translate to most people with the desired effect of creating controlled inhalation and exhalation. -(The idea is to receive feedback from your body to help control it) It is possible that the individual was actually just arguing to argue. I assume you did not get your feelings hurt, but I did see a few back and forths between you two. Anyway, take care and keep up the videos. I am slowly getting through all of them. V/r Zan

[@jonathandecou2663]

Hey, I've watched a couple of your videos because I have seemed to have lost my ability to play high or just can't remember how. Although I want to see if you can answer two problems. One that I have had in the past and one I'm having now. Past problem: When I could play really high I would go up to a high D above high C and it would sound amazing and brilliant, however I would play a D# and I wouldn't be able to ping the note like I did with D. I would be able to do this from high D# to high F#, but once I got to a double high G all the way to double high C I would go back to a great and brilliant tone. Why does that happen and if I ever get back to playing that high how can I fix that? Present problem: I started practicing my range in my ninth grade year of highschool cause I could always play a high D and no music ever got above that until I heard some cool stuff on KZbin. From practicing my range I found I could play much higher. I could play up to a triple G loud and brilliant from time to time but during 2020 as funny as it sounds I kinda lost it all. Now all I can play is a high D unless I overshoot by an octave or more trying to play the next note. ( For example: when trying to play a high E I end up playing an airy triple G or higher). I've somehow either forgotten how to play or just need new equipment. I went to the route of new equipment after many months of trying to fix it in the practice room but both routes have gotten me nowhere. Now I have an expensive mouthpiece that I can't return. So, can you help me with this problem. I need all the help I can get cause I have auditions for college coming soon.

[@fanfoire]

In heavy lifting sports like powerlifting, the belly does push outwards. As much as possible, even.

[@ryanvenora9084]

You're a guru. I've been trying to figure out abdominal compression for a long time and your description of the process made it click. Thank you!

[@andrijaborkovic3778]

Hi Bryan, your A-Z series are the the best explanations of the trumpet playing sistems I have seen on youtube. You inspire me with every video you make and they have really influenced my trumpet playing for the better. Keep it up, i believe i'm not the only one. 😄

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Hi Andrija. I'm so pleased you find the videos enjoyable and helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@chiefkibitzer9419]

I can't thank you enough for these videos. They have been really beneficial for my playing.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

You're very welcome. I'm glad they've proved useful. I don't plan to stop making them anytime soon, so if there's anything specific you'd like me to explain, please let me know. Thanks for watching!

[@drbenge5760]

I started playing again about 5 yrs ago in my local community band. I’ve really struggled with range and have watched many videos and talked to the retired band directors in the band and was just left confused. Smile (how I was taught), Pucker, or just make it sound right? I’ve got more out of the simple exercises and explanation than the rest. I can really feel the upper abs breathing as you’ve described and my sound is much improved. Thanks again

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

So glad I've been helpful!

[@bert6865]

Absolutely mate. Another great video Bryan.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Hey Rob. Thanks for watching. Hope you and the family are well!

[@deptofmajorwhoops463]

you are blowing my mind. been playing for 7 years using belly breaths, cuz i thought it expanded my diaphragm! trying this right now and its WAY EASIER! holy shit. thaks for doing this

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

My pleasure. To make sure you’re dialing in the new breath correctly, please refer to #TrumpetProTips E08 on KZbin. It’s my most up-to-date guide to correct breathing and (non-)blowing.

[@drbenge5760]

I agree. It’s pretty amazing.

[@ephraimpinckney8209]

Charlie Parker and you are my favorite online 🎺 teachers.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I think you mean Charlie Porter? In any case, thanks! I’m glad you’re finding my videos useful.

[@ephraimpinckney8209]

@@AirflowMusicNYC Good ol spell check

[@janekzawada8877]

Nice Bryan, very nicely approached and delivered, one of the very best explanations I've seen, top job...

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks Jan. I appreciate the continued support!

[@janekzawada8877]

Easy job, great stuff Bryan...

[@janekzawada8877]

I will of course be totally stealing this for teaching tomorrow for my advanced students...

[@nicholaschavarria4261]

Excellent information. Thank you, Bryan!

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I’m glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@CameronJay]

Great man, a necessary wee bit of top up info there. Stay well!

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Cheers Cam. Hope you’re well.

[@joshuamutaaru8248]

Thanks for this video. I'll work on what you've taught.

[@scotttinkler]

Bloody great stuff as usual mate, I keep visiting your lessons, so on the money.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for checking them out. Glad you’re digging them.

[@Kixwo]

This video helped so much! Thanks Bryan!

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@steveavant9727]

Hey Bryan, I’m not certain but I think it was Alan Vizutti (hope that’s spelled correctly) that said in one of his books to not breathe high in the chest, that it would cause the throat to constrict. Your thoughts on that? Thanks for producing these videos. I’ve been playing for a long time but unfortunately I am mediocre at best, so I’m always looking for ways to improve. Maybe it’s not too late!

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Hi Steve. Thanks for watching. I think I recall the same quote, if not from Allen Vizzutti, then elsewhere. I wholeheartedly agree, but I think it's important to understand what that means. What I'm advocating is breathing low, or through an open throat, which helps to set up your body use so you can best engage your core as you inhale to properly "take hold" of your air and engage proper breath support. The open throat/"low" breathing is most easily felt by breathing with an "Oh" syllable - I often liken it to Darth Vader from Star Wars. Now compare that to breathing with an "Eeee" syllable - that is breathing high in the chest, which makes it hard to engage the breath support in the same way, and leads to tension in the throat as the valsalver maneuver is still able to be in play. If you've tried that, then I hope you can see that there's a difference in breathing so your chest raises up, as I advocate, and breathing "high in the chest". This is a quick answer, so if something doesn't make sense please let me know and I'll take more time to write more fully later, or address it in another video.

[@justuss4375]

As always, awesome stuff, Bryan! While I completely agree that core compression is vital for the extreme upper register, I am missing the concept of resistance in your explanation. For me, change in core support is always a reactive force that is triggered by a change in resistance using tongue position, aperture size (etc.). I don't see how one could change pitch by just engaging the core muscles without having set up the required resistance efficiently (I personally find that to be the really hard bit) first? Would appreciate any thoughts! :-)

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Justus. You're quite right that *just* using core compression is not the complete picture. The 3 compressions work together and the balance of the 3 varies. The resistance provided by the instrument itself is, if you like, the 4th compression. In an efficient system there is a balance between all of them. I'm part way through the sub-series discussing the 3 compressions right now - I identified them in T, and this video (U) was about core compression in particular. I have yet to go into any depth about tongue level or aperture compression. Hopefully you'll have a clearer impression of my approach after the next couple of videos.

[@justuss4375]

Thanks for the detailed response, Bryan! Looking forward to the upcoming videos! :)

[@fabiannoname716]

Hey Byran, I have watched all of you videos. After that Video I spectated myself and tried to figure out how I breath and support with my muscles. I found out that my breathing is the same as yours. But I can't play above high e. So my problem is not really breathing. Maybe you have another tipp that can help me... You are doing great videos. Carry on!

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Hi Fabian. Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you're enjoying the videos. There are a few things that can affect your ability to develop range - common things are overblowing and not practicing softly enough. However, there's a bigger part of this, particularly regarding core compression, which is important to understand: Using core compression alone doesn't magically make you able to play high notes. What it does do is make it easier to play at the edge of your existing range and do so for longer periods, without hurting your lips, so you can practice more and develop the necessary coordination to extend your range and familiarize yourself with new notes sooner. This is what I was talking about in "S for Shortcuts". Also, the 3 compressions work together - you always use all 3, but you can balance them in different ways. I prefer to use as much Core Compression as possible and smaller percentages of tongue level and aperture compression. Striking the balance and getting them to work together is what is coming next in this season of Trumpet A-Z.

[@fabiannoname716]

Airflow Music thank you really for answering. I don't know what I'm doing wrong because I don't improve in range and my existing range is only slowly getting better. I think I don't overblow. I use more to less air and I close up my throat. Thank you

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

It doesn't happen overnight for most people. Keep practicing, and focus on trying to play as beautifully and effortlessly as possible - the other stuff will fall into place in time. If you really feel stuck, come and take a Skype lesson with me. Once I can see and hear what you're doing, I can help you fill in the blanks.

[@dillonjacob3223]

Hi Bryan, do you always keep your core muscle engaged while playing through a piece of music or only when you are going to play in the high register?

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Hi Dillon. My core is always engaged, at least at a basic level. That way, I can ramp up and down the level of engagement as the register changes. Thanks for watching and taking time to ask a question.

[@jl1848]

When you are rolling the ball inwards and upwards, is that the only thing that changes, does the embouchure stay exactly the same? Thank you.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

The embouchure probably doesn’t stay exactly the same - the aperture certainly changes in response to the change in airflow, for example - but in terms of actively doing something, I’m leaning most on “rolling the ball” as the engine of the pitch change. The better you balance the extra breath support push with backing off on volume as you ascend, the less the embouchure will need to move.

[@jl1848]

@@AirflowMusicNYC Thank you very much. This lesson has been a bit of a breakthrough for me, not just register, but tone. Subscribed!

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I’m glad it’s proved helpful for you. Thanks for watching, and taking time to ask a question.

[@mgoksoy]

How much compression is necessary and how much compression is too much to play the high notes? I am a beginner and when I practice to play high notes, I start sweating after 15 minutes or so and I have to activate the air conditioner.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

It’s difficult to quantify. How long is a piece of string? There is a certain amount of work involved, so it can heat you up after a while. It gets easier, the more adept you become, particularly if you practice with that as the goal. Producing the note is not the end - once you have the note, you continue to practice to find an easier way to play it.

[@sweetpotato3427]

I'm a pretty good trumpet player but I really struggle with high notes like rythems and music reading is easy for me but high notes I really struggle

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I posted a subsequent series of videos about building range. Search for #TrumpetProTips E09 to start.

[@RizukiRetz]

Hey sir, i playing trumpet for 4 years but i only hit high c. I'm 16 years old now, i can't hit high above c even though i breathed like this video. is that because my open throat small or my embouchure not properly on the mouthpiece? Please help me, sir

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Thanks for watching. Without seeing and hearing you play, I can’t say what you need to work on. If you’d like to book in for a Skype lesson, I’ll be glad to advise you

[@UnknownAssailant2923]

but you get more of a breath if you inhale with your stomach. more room for your stomach to stretch out than your lungs due to the ribcage preventing much expansion?

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Not really. First, you can’t “breathe with your stomach” - you breathe with your lungs. As they inflate, the diaphragm unfolds to protect them from below. Pushing your belly out doesn’t provide any particular additional space for them, but it does disengage your breath support. You don’t need volume of air to play the trumpet. You need air pressure. If you aren’t supporting, then you don’t have as much of that, and less physical control over that you do have.

[@jimcurrie]

Do you have any videos on pedal tones

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

I don’t, as yet. Pedals aren’t something I practice, in the traditional sense. However, I spend time every day lipbuzzing in the extreme low register.

[@EvanJH02]

That g was very sharp

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

Some would say about an octave sharp!

[@sillyfunforeveryoneandfrie3767]

Tell my friend Rachel

[@TheAirforce200]

I think this is quite good but the english is very hard to understand because of many unusual words.

[@AirflowMusicNYC]

If English is not your first language, then I suppose some of the jargon used might not be so clear. Thanks for watching, anyway!

[@owenland7978]

Zed haha