Trumpet Tone Tip - How to Get a Clear Tone

In this video lesson, I share one often overlooked tip that can clear up your trumpet tone.
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Gear:
Bach Strad Model 37
GR 65.6 MS mouthpiece
BiNak Pro valve oil
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[@birgitrusbach1340]

I was wondering why my sound has been so breathy lately, googled it, found this video, and the issue was solved within minutes! honestly such a good tip

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thanks so much, Birgit :)

[@lillylove7243]

Same. I have to try this 😊 I'm sure it's gonna work ☺️

[@Decomid]

I’ve just been trying to get clear notes in the higher register and not been able to work out why it was so hard - this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

[@cameronalexander348]

I was struggling with consistency and I wanted to get it fixed before my next jazz year. This helped so much! Thank you!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Great to hear 👂 😊

[@emmaann4783]

Thank You!!! I've been playing trumpet for 5 years now, and I felt like I don't have a great sound. This helped me a bunch!!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad it helped!

[@VioletMidnightProductions]

Thank you for this!! I just started playing yesterday! First I tried a Jhorn, today I tried my first trumpet. It's SO hard! Maybe when I'm working again I can get some lessons!

[@tyb7.5]

I don't get lessons I just got the 9th year of school and I am not bad

[@slompt]

it takes time and practice, it exercises your lips and eventually it’ll become easier

[@Mrbertiification]

How far are you now?

[@faclonx6275]

@@slompt I sound bad how am I supposed to close my lips so I could sound better

[@joshualodder1567]

@@tyb7.5 be that as it may, trumpet is so highly specialized I really recommend lessons. Its not like guitar or percussion in that operating the actual instrument is relatively straightforward, you need to learn a whole new method to playing

[@lordexxotik]

Bro what I literally tried this and my airy tone went away like right away thank you so much this is crazy because I had a solo today too and i was so worried

[@GarySheehanMusic]

I have a really extreme overbite as well. I definitely get better tone from a downward angle! Thanks for the demo 😁

[@Birdiewithflower]

Thank you! I always struggled with that girgly sound when playing and never knew how to fix it!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad I could help!

[@DedekindMusic]

After watching this Donna Schwartz talk and show and another trumpet talk and show it was easy to get to D 0/1 for the first time,

[@johnnylow3295]

Hi Donna I am really glad you are on this platform giving out so much useful information for students to utilize. Personally I think the sound at 0:18 sounds much more clear than the sound at the beginning, I would therefore ditch the clip from the start and use the one at 0:18 for the introduction.

[@ramveera7390]

Kindly send me the Clark G scale in notation form which u played in this superb video.

[@ananddesai2010]

Thank you very much for the tip. Haven't noticed this till date. Now I'll definitely check the same.

[@ananddesai2010]

Actually when I checked it today to my greatest surprise I was committing a wrong angle i.e downwards and struggling whilst now I found out by leaning on wall as described by you and found I should play with upward angle. I felt playing more easy except in the lower register. In that case should I change the angle while playing the lower register. Kindly guide me.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Make sure you are not sticking your neck out or tilting your head when checking your angle. There are people that pivot to achieve clarity in various ranges Watch the way Phil Smith plays. It's really hard to give advice via KZbin comments. I would urge you to take a few lessons from an experienced teacher in trumpet embouchure.

[@paperclipbike]

Thanks for the reassuring tip about angle and alignment! The only problem I have with your tips is that standing up against the wall and playing is tricky for me, as a trombonist 😉 Seriously, though, I feel that working with rather than against one's own anatomy helps with efficiency, which is what I'm striving for after so many years of accumulating bad habits and shoulder / neck strains!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

LOL about playing against the wall! Yes! - "working with rather than against one's own anatomy helps with efficiency" Thanks for your comment

[@lehinmusic]

this was an excellent tip, thank you

[@madi684]

Thank you so much!! I’m teaching myself for marching band and I was so confused on what my problem was, but now I figured it out!!

[@dimareiznykov6107]

Thanks a lot I had this really cranky Danky sound and now it sound more of a trumpet

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad I could help :)

[@blue-ww7jx]

I've been struggling to find a consistent open sound ever since I started playing and thank God I found this video. Thanks, Donna! I really appreciate this video and I'll be sure to check more of your content so I could improve as a player!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Really great to hear that it helped!

[@Peanut_And_Jelly]

Wow, you’re an amazing trumpet player. I’ve been playing my trumpet for around 2 years now and I have always wondered why I never played with a nice good sound. My band directors sound was spot on, it was nice and clear and clean and no cracks. I always wondered what I could do to fix this. After I watched this video I realized my problem. My director, similar to yours has me point my trumpet up to the sky sort of. He wanted everyone to do this so we all had the same position. This helped a lot, thank you so much! (you’re also a really good trumpet player)

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad it helped clear up your tone 🎺

[@vurvme]

Best advice I ever received

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Great to hear :)

[@berthalisaluannlindaluisly4249]

thank you so much for this, im so thankful omg your a lifesaver

[@Logan4R33V3S]

Love your approach to the horn! thanks for the video

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thank you!

[@jaylevert2312]

I was first taught with the hanging bugle technique, which forces you to develop your embouchure and prevents the development of bad habits like too much pressure on the lips and bad mouthpiece angle.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I have heard of that - I think I read it in an article about Doc Severinson.

[@thelegendoftux7548]

Thanks for the tips. I have my first public performance coming up today and when practicing at home I tend to have an inconsistent tone clarity so I got a bit unnerved. It really helped!

[@gradyfan2068]

Excellent tutorial. Clear explanations and helpful demonstrations. Thank you.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad you enjoyed it! Please share :)

[@RodrigoFerreira19028]

Thank you, you really help me with my sound and position! 🎺

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Happy to hear that!

[@LA-cy1zj]

this cleared up the embouchure and consistency of a clear tone by a small but noticeable amount. thank you

[@DonnaSchwartz]

You're very welcome 👍🏻

[@ronaldmoaton1109]

Very useful information, Thanks

[@pvillez]

Thank you ever so much for this tip!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Happy to help :)

[@gusgustafson5426]

Omg this fixes everything I feel more confident in my abilities now

[@DonnaSchwartz]

That's awesome!

[@kevontayjoseph9333]

This really helps thank you very much

[@DonnaSchwartz]

You're welcome!

[@waterbe3564]

Very good explanation

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thanks for liking

[@giancarlocampanelli2463]

Thanks a lot!

[@teammosin9999]

Goog stuff!! Thanks

[@josephfauteux6383]

Worked for me !

[@DonnaSchwartz]

That's awesome!

[@sergiiweizz9105]

muchas gracias!!!!!

[@mega1chiken6dancr9]

In highschool I had a big overbite and also a very narrow palate with a wide tongue. Now, after heavy orthodontics, I have a wide palate and only a slight overbite. I feel like I could be a good trumpet player now.

[@MrStarbor]

AMAZING

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thank you!

[@elger-embacarra8186]

Thank you for this! how about a tip choosing the correct mouthpiece?

[@CornetBlues]

100%spot on 👏👏🎺🎺

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad it helped :)

[@CornetBlues]

Keep it natural,straight down the pipe 🎺🎶🎺👍

[@christinadone774]

I’ve recently started a new embochure on my trumpet and right now my range is only in the staff and every time I try to play above G on the staff, I get a scratchy sound. Thanks for the video hopefully it helps

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Embouchure change happens slowly, so be patient and rely on your breath support to get you through

[@cbandit7715]

Anybodt have any tips about yoy play really good then like christmas breka or soemthing abd yoy come back mediocre to bad

[@brentsterner2073]

Interesting vid; thank you. Long ago a valued teacher had me find my "alignment" by placing the mp directly against my teeth. (This seems to be essentially what you are saying... no wall required.) That teacher also told me 2 related things... this is a first approximation only (people's lips come in different thicknesses) and if it works it is probably right for you (which implies lots of active listening). I'm always looking for little stuff like this (I volunteer at a nearby school). My personal tip... you learn a whole lot by teaching (volunteering or otherwise). If you play and have free time, please consider volunteering when this C19 thing backs off enough to do so.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

You become a better player when you have to teach...but that old saying that those who can't , teach, is very wrong. I've taken lessons from some of the best players (trumpet and sax), and they are usually not the best teachers because they have not gone through or seen many of the struggles in learning an instrument

[@NareshKumar-vp6qq]

Very beautiful very good👏👌👍🙏🙏🏆🎺🎼🌹🌷

[@strawberry_lemonade2886]

Do you habe any more tips? In like February, I had to do something for band but I did so bad on it, I didn't wanna play it anymore so I feel so behind and really bad. I wanna get good at it :(

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Just check the Free Stuff tab on my website, but ideally, you should take lessons

[@josh9917]

Hi Miss! How are you? Curious question. This advice you made was probably for those who are blowing for the first time and struggling to get a clear tone. But for me, I've gone 3 years past that stage. My issue is with getting a consistent tone while playing songs, particularly with high notes. Some say the you can make it sound clear by blowing harder. I've been doing that but then I don't want to apply too much pressure. What's your take?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

This wasn't only for beginners -it was also for people with embouchure problems who found their range limited. When it comes to questions like yours, it really is best that you take some lessons from an experienced teacher. While I can say that it probably is related to endurance, and you may not be using your embouchure properly, I am just guessing. And guessing wastes time. Seek out a good teacher to help you

[@lildee1734]

Thanks for the tip! But what if I'm in a marching band and my trumpet is supposed to be set higher? I play much better with a downward angle but my band director keeps saying that I'm not supposed to bring any trumpet lower

[@DonnaSchwartz]

This is a tough one because everyone needs to be in sync, but sacrificing sound and range shouldn't have to be an option. Make sure your posture is straight - no sagging and shoulders back. Share this video with your band director - maybe that will help

[@lildee1734]

@@DonnaSchwartz ahh i see, I will. Thanks!

[@greysonkinsey1150]

Thanks- I was having poor sound quality when playing soft; it was very breathy. After trying this the issue almost entirely left.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

So glad this helped! Please share :)

[@jaylevert2312]

Donna, do you have a trumpet playing resource page?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

on my site, donnaschwartzmusic.com go the Free Stuff tab - Brass. Thx for asking :)

[@jaylevert2312]

@@DonnaSchwartz I went there, and It brought back some old memories. I have been following you for some years, so it brought a smile to my lips to see those old lessons. As the saying used to be... "You have come a long way baby. " Did you do those when you were still teaching back East? I suppose when your personal attention turned more towards mastering the saxophone you left the trumpet on the back burner. As far as horns go, I started on trumpet too and then went to the sax(s), but trumpet will always be my first love. You know the old saying; Trumpet = 90% embourchure, 10% dexterity - Saxophone = 10% embouchure, 90% dexterity. You cannot miss a day of practice on trumpet! Shalom

[@glugon7301]

Can't do a downward angle in marching band

[@DonnaSchwartz]

That's one thing that is so ridiculous about marching band. You may have to tilt your head back in order to get your angle

[@dktrumpet65]

Some people talks about alligning the teeth. Some use pencil exercise to allign teeth. Purpose: to get the air moving without any restriction. What is your take on that?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I follow what I taught in the video, with my goal being to follow my natural angle for more efficiency

[@dktrumpet65]

@@DonnaSchwartz. Ok. Thanks🌞

[@Titurel]

I actually don't think the angle has to to with overbite or under bite as much as air stream direction. I have a very pronounced under bite but play with an upward angle because my air stream is up. I can't play downstream. I had a teacher who messed up my playing for years trying to change my horn angle like the one you mentioned.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I think we are saying something similar. When you have an underbite, your airstream will go up or even just straight out if you are following your natural jaw angle. One of my teachers almost ruined me by trying to make me form my jaw into an underbite position, when I naturally have an overbite

[@Titurel]

@@DonnaSchwartz Because of my overbite (not under) I HAVE to blow UP. Or the air hit my lower lip and back of my front teeth. I think it's a misconception that it you have an overbite the horn necessarily goes lower because that's the resting place of your jaw. I can only get air out comfortably by extending my lower jaw and blowing up. This gives my horn an upward angle even though at rest my lower jaw is an underbite. A teacher tried to change my position and cost me years of trouble. When I eventual went back a had tremendous ease and power playing. He meant to be helpful but he was wrong. So unlike you I need to put my jaw in an "underbite" position even though I have and overbite. I only mention this because my teacher was actually following the advice you give! Only it was the opposite for me! So I suggest it is probably the airstream direction rather than the jaw alone. You certainly don't want to make that mistake with your advice that your teacher did either. Clearly this is a very individualized thing. I recommend Wikitones page on Upstream and Downstream players for clarification for anyone unfamiliar with the differences. I certainly think the rule is you must listen to your body and feel comfortable no matter what another player feels in similar conditions. Think of players who play off to the side. Presumably at some point they realized with was more comfortable and efficient for them (Jon Faddis, Maynard, Charlie Shavers etc) Or teachers who recommend play 50/50 or 2/3 on top lip (like Arturo Sandoval) But guys like Wynton play extremely low on their top lip (he's like 3/4 lower lip). I assume if Wynton tried raising his mouthpiece he'd soon realize it doesn't work for him and if Arturo lowered his he'd realize the same thing. You sound great by the way!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

@@Titurel As I always say in many of my YT videos, people need to get a teacher. No YT video can fix someone's problems. That being said, over the 30+ years of teaching, I have not seen one person need to go against their natural jaw angle, but everyone is different. So "I certainly think the rule is you must listen to your body and feel comfortable no matter what another player feels in similar conditions. Clearly this is a very individualized thing. " is 100% true!

[@karlhubben8009]

Most people are downstream players, but round 10% plays upstream, that's independant from having an under or overbite! I have a clear overbite, but i'm an upstream player, so the only way to get good results was playing on a forward pushed jaw. Sadly i've learned that fact 35 years after starting to play trumpet and always struggling with range and endurance, wilkton (Dave Wilken) website and the theory of Doc Reinhardt have opened my eyes and changed a lot....! The Stevens Methode teach this behavior for all trumpet players, but that's another story......!

[@josh9917]

So just to be clear. You have an overbite, which means your upper teeth stick out more when you bite? So, why is your lower lip sticking out? My lower teeth are sticking out more. Does that indicate that I have an underbite and that my trumpet should be raised slightly?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I have an overbite ( my lower lip is not sticking out, it is just thicker than the top lip), and I am matching my natural jaw angle when I play. Some people have commented that even though they have an overbite, they still point the trumpet up because their air stream goes up. The advice I am giving fits a majority of people, but you can take their advice and see if your airstream points up or down when you blow, and match that. But if you are forcing the stream to go a certain way, that's where you can run into problems

[@josh9917]

@@DonnaSchwartz I appreciate you!!

[@barryhunt8527]

Overbite/underbite never heard of it!?! So what is it, as in, what do you mean? Which is which and how does it work? So, I considered my teeth when I saw this and notice my bottom set is behind my top set with mouth shut. Is that an underbite or an overbite?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Based on what you said, you have an overbite, and your air stream may point downward. Line up the horn to match your overbite to make blowing more efficient

[@barryhunt8527]

@@DonnaSchwartz Ta4that. Well, I’m in England and it’s 4.30pm here and I’m practising now. So I’ll come back to you later and tell you how I get on. Just for the record. I’m 77 and started playing trumpet 4years ago this day and I’m not very happy. Thought I would be a lot better than I am by now. Find it very hard playing above Bb 👍🕺🎶🇬🇧

[@barryhunt8527]

@@DonnaSchwartz so, I followed your instructions and as far as I can tell I am already doing it correctly. I do have a teacher who previously told me what to do, so I guess I’m ok and on the right track 👍🕺🎶🇬🇧

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Awesome...now watch out for using too much mouthpiece pressure - instead, be patient and develop your embouchure muscles properly

[@erulku]

Is this trumpet Bach 44¿

[@DonnaSchwartz]

No, Bach Strad 37

[@KGTalks24]

Hey Donna, I play the alto sax and I bite down too hard on my mouthpiece. I go straight through my mouthpiece pads fast and I leave dents in the mouthpiece. Please help me

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Check out my Embouchure tip videos on my channel. I cover that problem

[@gregorysloat4258]

It has always bothered me to see trumpet players playing at a downward angle as though they were playing a clarinet (and I realize everyone is different, and it’s just my personal bias, but I don’t see how they can play that way). I align my teeth, which aligns my lips, form my embouchure by bringing my corners in and “pursing” my lips very slightly (VERY SLIGHTLY!), just enough to form a cushion that the mouthpiece can ride on without pinning my lips against my teeth (I only use enough pressure to keep the mouthpiece in place), and put the horn to my lips.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Everyone is different - I think about Phil Smith's angle - and he is incredible. Sounds like you are all set though, which is great!

[@Ikhwan-3560]

Dont worry. I think we noticed