Relearning the Trumpet - Getting a Good Tone, Increasing Range, & Practicing Tongue Arch

[@derminotauros]

Thanks for this Video and your Idea to document your Journey. I start playing the Cornet and trumpet 3 years ago at the age of 55 and it would be the best descision I've ever made. It is a god chalenge with yourself, your Meditation and your ability to feel music and the universe. Love, peace and harmony Bernward

[@mlhbrx96]

Check out Charlie Porter's embouchure and practice routine videos. He's got excellent solutions for the issues you're dealing with.

[@NDNdivergent]

I'm the same as you. I was a good trumpet player to 1995. I was attending college(in Canada). I had over practiced for nearly 4 years. (and this was the most frustrating time of my life) This caused lip swelling and loss of endurance. I didn't know this at the time despite talking to five different teachers trying to see if I actually had the lips for it, none of them told me that I shouldn't be playing for 6 hours a day and no teacher told me not to overpractice and what that could lead to. So I quit playing, believing I didn't have a the right lips for it. Only recently after all those years did I come across the information which described my symptoms, and revealed that all that was wrong was that I needed rest at the time. I could have kept playing. SO here I am, looking to get back to my excellent playing that I once had.

[@razdog76]

I'm having a hard time with the low notes, hitting it and sounding good. Higher stuff, even above staff is sounding good. Having a good time with student cornet and looking forward to replacing my stolen trumpet. Really appreciate your channel!

[@hatehypocrisy1]

This video has really motivated me to play the trumpet, thanks a lot.

[@mikeb9935]

I am also a restart after 20 plus year break. I would recommend a couple of things, one is to not push too hard especially on higher notes. Try to strengthen what you have more. Secondly In our older ages it takes longer to recuperate, maybe light day heavy day or a complete rest day once in a while. I lacked improvement because of pushing too hard. Found that backing off helped a lot. Lots more I could say if you want to hear it. mikeb2

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

I, also, pushed too hard, mainly on range building. I've cut myself several times.

[@BaileyPoage]

Interviews is a great video idea! Id love to see it!

[@frankgerace5997]

Just keep practicing and your tone will improve..you’re right about staying relaxed and not tensing up your throat..I like that you’re not obsessed with high notes..they’ll come with time..by the way, I majored in music Ed in college (trumpet was my instrument) and after a decades-long layoff, I came back to playing trumpet and French horn, which I played in high school..as far as techniques like tongue arch are concerned, what works for you will probably be different than what works for somebody else..A lot of brass techniques are like that..basically, just keep it up!! Having somebody else there (a teacher) will help too, just because it’s good to have another set of eyes and ears checking out your playing..

[@KennyattaPetit]

I just started playing trumpet this year after 20 plus years and I sounded horrible at first. Now, a few months later I can get through some Chicago tunes. So keep it up and you will get better.

[@billpresing5568]

I myself am in the re-learning process after close to 50 years off,but I forgot how to read music so I just play by ear, improvise, and free form..I mainly do it as a creative release as I still suffer from some P.T.S.D. and N.D.E. and its neurological effects from serving in the Viet-Nam war, but one of my main hurdles is the loss of my teeth...I just take my time and get it right. I also have shoulder injuries from the war that make it painfull to hold up the horn, but in my own way I'm having a great time playing. Anyway I'm sure you will be successful as you have alot more going for you than do I. Just take your time and get it right and do it your way....Nuthin but the best to you, have fun with it because it the Music isn't fun then it just ain't no good. GOOD LUCK Young Fella !!

[@timsmith4990]

You already got an excellent start, just taking the step to take to take lessons from a reputable source will be a major leap for you. I had a 16 year period of not playing regular, maybe every now and then a solo, trust me that was discouraging. I had the chance to play in an ensemble in 1989, Oh my that took some work, I wish I had still taken your route of getting professional lessons, it was bumpy but I played until 2021. Now Like you I am wanting to play with an Orchestra, I'm pretty decent, but I'm lacking the confidence to audition without some more formal training. I've subscribed to your channel keep up the good work, do not get discouraged!!! I have a channel I just am not sure I have right equipment to record properly.

[@Paul-yk9uq]

You're definitely improving. We can hear it. Please keep posting your progress!

[@scarrph]

You still playing? I'm beginning again after FIFTY years away from music. I really Enjoy your videos.

[@davinnicode]

At the beginning I would always start with breathing and the right air support. This is the most important part of playing a brass instrument. Malte Burba has a book on the right and natural breathing. Then you can incorporate it with long tone slurs with only a „HA“ attack. This really helps for the feel of air support and keeps everything relaxed. Always remember even it is a boring exercise to make it sound a beautifully as possible. Later on for range building exercise remember that you higher you go the air needs to flow faster. It also helps to think of more of an „ee“ sound when going up. Also here lip slurs are a good thing to get a feel for the right air flow.

[@jpthomas369]

You have a lot of fans here…might consider a collaboration with another comeback player comparing each person’s progress coming back to the horn with such a long break. A lot to discuss even stuff away from the horn…like music theory, ear training, finding time without wife wanting to smash the horn, etc , etc

[@billpresing5568]

Great Video.

[@chasefreak]

lip buzzing will help get you back. Here's one quick thing to do. Lip buzz 3 middle C's by saturating both lips w saliva first and using a no tongue whooooo air attack, the bottom lip should slightly curl over the bottom teeth and the airflow should be going downward, the buzz should sound like a mosquito, buzz a middle C and hold it for the extent of your breath, (don't worry if you can't buzz right away, keep after it and the buzz will eventually happen-just don't buzz loud or tongue attack your buzz) then repeat it twice, then play a middle c on the trumpet using the whooo no tongue air attack, then rest. Don't use this as a warm-up, just as a practice routine to help gain facial muscle strength and firm up your chin area. Resting is extremely important when attempting to come back. Be patient and have fun above all else. It's a toy.

[@makingmusicfun]

Hey! It's awesome that you are going for it again. I switched to the clarinet for 18 because of embouchure problems, but starting playing again about 11 years ago. Your tone is a bit airy, but I think you are on the right track. Just keep following the sound. Long tones are helpful, but try not to camp on them too much. Practice should take you all over the horn. I make this mistake too often. I think I am fixing a tone production issue. What would have fixed it would have been just playing an etude or an Arban's technique building exercise. If tone production issues persist, head to your music store to try another mouthpiece. What worked in High school, might not work anymore. Try a Bach 3C or the Yamaha equivent. I hope that helps.

[@patrickgleason6610]

Food for thought - range always seems to be the thing that players are trying to attain. Maybe hold off working on trying to ascend to attain higher notes. Ignore range for a good bit. Try instead to work on basic things like focus, breath control and sound, and keep things very easy and in the low register for a bit. When you can play your low range while relaxed with low mouthpiece pressure with a good, full, focused sound, that's by far more important. Also, something that tends to be overlooked is articulation - do TONS of articulation, particularly from tuning C down through the lowest range of the horn, but mostly between G and low C. The first thing anyone hears from you is your attacks. And here's a neat little secret - working on articulation is a great way to improve chops focus - can't have clean articulation without chops focus. Good stuff! Keep working it brother!

[@wood8595]

I'm a junior in high school and my highest note is the a above the staff, I think there is a fine balance between the amount of air and the size of your embouchure, you really notice this when playing loud because you're using so much air that you'll play higher than you mean to if you don't change your embouchure. I think trying to play a little louder would help you with the airy tone, and maybe a tighter embouchure when playing. Keep in mind I'm not a professional and this is just a theory in my mind on what would help.

[@MrBochawa]

If you feel like your throat is closing, you should stop using tongue-arch. Instead, leave your tongue in its natural position and allow the embouchure to do the work. Incorporating tongue arch can be useful after the embouchure has a healthy understanding of its responsibilities. A good way to activate the correct muscles of the embouchure (and in the correct direction), with your lips, hold a pencil parallel to the ground without bunching your chin. Only for a few seconds at a time. For me this almost always activates the correct, albeit exaggerated and more intense, form for brass playing. KZbin comments are not a great place for advice, so I understand if you intend to ignore. In any case, it seems like you've got a good start happening. Enjoy!

[@jladams3]

Before you get frustrated trying to get the air out of your tone check your horn for leaks.

[@ComebackPlayer1]

Great suggestion. I just checked expecting to hear a lot of air leaking out of this old horn, but it was actually really good. When I blew as hard as as I could, I could hear the faintest amount but due to how much force I had to use to get it to that point, I can’t imagine it’s impacting the sound in any significant way. Its been 35 years but I seem to recall my student Yamaha horn being much worse than this one. When I get some time, I’ll try dunking it in the bathtub to see where the leak actually is, if I can even blow hard enough to get it to leak while I’m bent over the tub.

[@jladams3]

Check the valve compression if you haven't already by pulling out the first, second, and third valve slides without depressing the valve to see if you have a pop from the vacuum being relieved when the slide comes off. If you have a good pop then you are probably good in that regard. Check your water key corks too. I know you said you replaced them but I have put new cork on my horns before and found they did not completely seal without some persuasion. I went down this road more than once in my life. You tone has improved dramatically in the last video I saw. @@ComebackPlayer1