Upper Register Breakthrough: How I Learned To Play A Double C In My 40's

My new album URBANESSENCE drops on October 21, 2022 on all streaming platforms, but it is available NOW in CD and digital download formats exclusively on my Bandcamp page!!! If you've been loving my videos and gaining value from them, then this is an easy way you can support me and my channel. Click this link to listen to tracks, follow my artist page, and purchase the album: titocarrillo.bandcamp.com/
In this video, I take time to break down how I was able to continue developing my range up to double high C in my 40's , even though I was stuck at a high F for many years. Towards the end of the video, I explain a concept I call The Horizontal Approach that was the key that unlocked my upper register, and provide a key exercise that will help you do the same. Wishing you love and music, Tito.
Thumbnail photo by Peacock Images: / peacockimages
Tito Carrillo is professor of jazz trumpet at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: music.illinois.edu/faculty/ti...

[@walterwcarrico]

Thanks so much for this absolute help. In just this short video I'm been places in the upper register I thought I'd never see. Your the man.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

So glad this helped you Walter! 🙏🏽

[@richthimmesch7678]

I’ve been playing trumpet for 59 years and after trying these techniques I’ve experienced playing a full 6 notes higher than before! That’s HUGE for me! Thanks for sharing this technique.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Wow Rich, that's amazing! So glad the techniques are helping, and thanks for watching!

[@alfonsobenitez8574]

I am starting to play some notes in the upper register. I started playing the trompet three years ago. Since I am retired, I have all the time in the world, I practice and rest a lot every day. I never had a teacher, only have my right arm. But I believe I am getting better everyday. Starting to read and play notes. The timing is where I have a little problem, but at my 70 years of age, I am very excited to play my trumpet.

[@williamstadelmeyer3563]

I love the fact that you start students with middle G. I've always thought this is the place to start and playing low C is teaching students to have difficulty playing high. It solves so many problems.

[@rubenproost2552]

The coursebook that I started trumpet with, 30 years ago had me start at G also but I couldn't do it. Only this low C wanted to pop out in the first week or 2. Took about 6 months to reach high c and didn't get much further since in any kind of consistent way, besides this freak accident where I suddenly jumped an octave and could not repeat, but sheet music almost never asks for anything over a G on top of the staff, so it wasn't a big handicap.

[@gregvanboven3698]

Hi Tito! When I was young (some 50 years ago) I had a solid G. Since then, my lifestyle and types of bands I played in (loud and louder BS&T, TOP etc.) played havoc with my chops. I found your straw analogy very interesting. When I tried it out I was able to get up to Double C with very little effort! And, the movement of my corners coming in when going up is EXACTLY how the pedal register works for me! So, now I see why people have advocated practicing pedal ones. This is my first practice session utilizing what you showed us but I'm "jazzed"! Thanks so very much. From a 76 year old former Las Vegas Relief Band trumpet player! Greg Vanboven

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

That’s amazing Greg! Thanks for sharing, and keep it going, sounds like you’ve got some more juice left in there! 👊🏽

[@johnmacleod6001]

Hi Tito. Like you, I have been playing professionally since my late teens (I’m 67 now). I had the good fortune of studying trumpet with Canada’s great brass teacher Don Johnson and your pedagogy is almost exactly what Don shared with me. After a lifetime of daily practice, performing, teaching (university level) and observation of colleagues as well as students I have only one argument. By doing all of the correct things that you describe, a student should be able to develop their upper register potential but that potential is not the same for everyone. Some people I believe are blessed with physical characteristics that enable them to excel at the physical aspects of trumpet playing. The moment I turned on this video I thought to myself that that guy looks like a trumpet player. My professional life has been based in Toronto, Canada and through the years have worked with many world class lead trumpet players who travelled on the road with different performers. Probably Canada’s all-time great lead player was Arnie Chycoski who played with Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass. I was fortunate to play at his side in the Boss Brass as well countless recording sessions and other gigs. It was always a lesson. All of this to say that he had the same kind of facial characteristics as you and so many other fine players do (not me sadly). I hope this doesn’t sound defeatist. All I mean is that while we are all created equal maybe but not the same. On the other hand, the only way to know what you are capable of is to give it your best shot and in my opinion your ideas on upper register development are exactly right. Sorry for going on this long.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

I appreciate your comments here John, thank you. 🙏🏽. My purpose for posting this video is to simply describe the process I went through in order to break through to a new level of upper register control. I don’t expect that everyone will be able to play a double C, but if something that I say here can help someone increase their range Even by a few notes, then I think it was worth posting. I agree with you that people have different facial structures, teeth structures, etc. and those are factors for range development. My goal is to help students make the trumpet easier so that they can play more of the music that they wanna play. Wow, I’ll have to look up Don Johnson, I don’t know him at all. Thank you for watching the video and for your kind words.

[@ReedMunson]

Thoughts on Maynard? Was he using a similar approach?

[@shanespence6128]

@@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605 16:38

[@anettemarieholmen-tftum7676]

Why do we rarely (never?) see female lead trumpeters? I hope it's not because we're not "built right". 🤪😆

[@waynecolburn8849]

I think it’s the teeth as well as oral shape of mouth. I took lessons from Jerome Callet back in 76. You can increase range but some people will be limited. My grandfather was Bunny Berigan and he had power and range and was actually a good lead player.

[@alm9951]

The hardest part is getting up off my ass and getting out the horn to actually practice and figure out the high notes.

[@garyday5299]

Great tip that energy has to come from somewhere. 68 yr old comeback player, just for self, to try to do what I used to do in the 70's. Found I was pushing the air from lower body far too little. Think I've picked up D and E over high C, and could barely get D in my best days. Fun! Thanks!

[@etownrule]

Thanks! I needed this.

[@raineruhlmann9662]

Best explanation on this topic I heard yet, thanks a lot, Tito, very friendly!

[@matiaslerenaclaussen6502]

Love your spirit and help!

[@slow222]

This video is awesome. I felt the differences immediately! thank you

[@Matraka2000]

This is great. A full explanation and clear.

[@kruama45]

Hey Tito I'm just a high school student and yet when doing what you said as an exercise it greatly improved not just my range but the control of the note and pitch as well thank you so much man I have been looking for so long on KZbin for some good advice and I finnaly found it thanks man ❤️

[@sergiiweizz9105]

Muchas gracias maestro!!!!😃👍🎺

[@whugheswhughes98144]

And I love your guiding principles.

[@peterrudeforth6869]

Yes Tito. Absolutely nailed it. Now I'm off to practise again.

[@scottlane8157]

this video is fantastic. so sensible and matter of fact. a wonderful explanation of your thought process and experience. your directness and candor is refreshing

[@fredrikoscar4741]

Extremely well put. Could not agree more. Thank you!!

[@maka4799]

Great video! Thank you!

[@felixespinal9609]

Tito, you are the best. Thank you

[@booch8720]

Great job Tito!! Love your approach! And Blessings with your health…I feel ‘ya Brother! Peace!!😎🎺

[@jaebar51]

lots of ideas, thanks, excellent

[@zenithwu7501]

This video is a revelation for me! Thanks for putting out such great content. I haven't played high note with such an eased feeling ever. This is an entirely different perspective to playing up there. Thanks Tito!

[@davidhurd3099]

Outstanding job. Going to show it to all my students.

[@solodro]

TY so much great and easy to understand. Now it is time to try it. TY again for you knowledge and your generosity !

[@is145100]

Great Job Tito!!!🎺🎺

[@allenbeeson1548]

Beautiful explanation of what you do, analogies, examples, etc. THANK YOU!!

[@Lonkin]

You’re analogies for trumpet playing are amazing! Trumpet has only gotten harder since I started but this has helped a ton.

[@brunoanaya9668]

Loved it 🔥🔥

[@rubadub15]

Thank you so much for this video, cheers

[@geraldglaser5686]

Thank you Tito. I find your approach extremely helpful. No one I’ve heard explains the inner mechanisms of trumpet playing as well as you You’re a great teacher.

[@kievpimentel7053]

Literally changed my life’s struggle thank you so much bro! Time to shed!

[@rickmorales2113]

Great presentation!!

[@jimthesigma]

I loved the video. I will be practicing these techniques.

[@hatehypocrisy1]

This is pure gold, very informative, and helpful.

[@rjb1122]

Really great !

[@antoinebernhard4350]

Very interesting. Thank you !

[@GiovanniMorant]

ThankYou so Much for this video✨❤️‍🔥✨

[@alm9951]

Excellent video!

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

An excellent Lesson - Thanks for your down to Earth honest methodology. I`m looking forward to getting into those upper registers with your help. Bless you.

[@federicoguillermosurraco6632]

Sos el mejor Tito!!! Mil gracias por compartir este video con todos nosotros!!! (You are the best Tito!!! Thank you so much for sharing this video with all of us!!! you changed my life)

[@Guilwenn]

Thank you very much from France 👍

[@davidsalinas8640]

Glad you’re doing well after surgery, Tito.

[@bilingualbibleasmrenglish-6035]

Thanks so much for your sharing. I’m looking forward to trying the tips.

[@ramasawmysokanaden4298]

Many thanks tito u r great❤

[@MathewJamesHorn]

Great video. I'm about halfway through. Glad to see someone else talking straws, I stumbled on that analogy teaching one day and was like "holy crap", this is a great way to represent this.

[@chinua000]

so much information. so clear. thanks for cutting through the noise

[@perarnetandberg3475]

Hi thanks, the straw description is maybe the best advice i ever got for my playing trumpet❤️

[@emmanuelleayrton5496]

Hi Tito, thanks a lot for this amazing video! I'm a singer and I was absolutely fascinated by the fact that every single advice or concept you give applies to singing. Lower body engagement, long neck, small regular stream of air, importance of tongue/jaw apparatus, what we call "pharyngeal vowels", no fiddling around and tightening your lips or any part of your face and above all the two principles "sounds great/feels easy" for any note, high, medium or low. WOW!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@trumpetfunk446]

Very good explanation. Thx for your thoughts👌.

[@JP1979TRP]

This is incredible guidance Dr. C!!! It's helping me instantly!

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

But Jason, you were already terrifyingly good at this stuff!!! Thank you for watching, you are a huge inspiration to me, especially how you are able to fluidly incorporate your upper register into your improvisations. Much love! 🙏🏽

[@ryannyther87]

Yes Yes and Yes! I have been dealing with all of this recently and this video is a light bulb moment especially Identifying with the specific breathing for me! Wishing you well for your recovery also! We need you🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾!!!!!!

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Much love, Ryan, thank you! 🙏🏽

[@svenkarlsson7282]

Thank`s so helpul to understand this high notes

[@TrumpetMariachiSource]

This is a great video. Thank you for sharing 👍

[@qu4ckii]

thank you sosososo much!

[@pms5958]

Good luck!

[@jcschwarb]

Tito - thanks so much for this. Great tips. Can’t wait to leverage these to improve upper register efficiency for myself and son.

[@juliabuettner]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!

[@grandpasutubechannel]

Been playing as a rank amateur for 60 years now tinkering with piccolo trumpet to be concert tuba and everything in between. With piccolo trumpet I have learned that only a little air is needed just like you say in regards to the higher register. Thanks and I'll work on the tongue

[@ronangray1878]

Hey Tito! I just stumbled on this video in my recommended and it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I love the in depth explanation of the tongue arch with the xray video. I wanted to let you know that I had the chance to play alongside you at a jazz club in Phoenix a few years ago! I was a student of Russ Schmidt throughout high school and have continued my jazz studies at Utah State University as a music performance major. You were a major inspiration to me! I hope you’re doing well, and hope to see more videos. -Ronan

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

I remember you Ronan, small world! I’ll be back in AZ next May 4-6 with Russ Schmidt if you’re around. Thanks for watching!

[@haroldhollander3330]

I am a similar come back player with 38 years of no trumpet after college. This Hass to be the absolute best video I have ever seen regarding use of the tongue, jaw and lower body. Interestingly, my teacher in college Renée Lemart also taught this and has or had a very nice book on it. Bravo Tito, for bringing this up and elaborating on it so nicely.

[@xfcane]

Hi Tito, man I may get emotional because I love trumpet playing to death.. you are explaining very clearly what has been my hard and long learning path and when you popped that MRI video i snapped man it's exactly where Im at. that video is so enlightening btw...Paying attention to the tongue, man I love trumpet here's a sub!!

[@willyramos1349]

I put down my trumpet 40 years ago and only recently picked it back up. Of all the videos on KZbin on how to improve range yours stands out for its clarity and illustrations. Your video described some of the same problems I am having and explained the causes and more importantly, the solutions. You are an excellent teacher. Thank you.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Thank you Willy, I wish you the best on your trumpet journey!

[@ChildOfKingJesus57]

ÀMEN!🎉 I agree completely!!!

[@armandogiordano1226]

You explained concepts I was familiar with already, but never worked out for me, in such clear detail that I started to trust them again and they seem to be giving me interesting results I might add to my system! Thank you so much.

[@vicdickenson3869]

Fantastic. I’ll watch again and again. It’s so Claude Gordon!

[@mhillsounds2644]

Great lesson Tito! Many many Gems dropped!! 💎💎💎

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Marquis in the building! Thanks for watching, my brother, much appreciated! 🙏🏽

[@garysmith6357]

YEAH TITO!!!

[@romeoperrin7524]

very good video, sometimes i reach high notes and i don't know how and that helped me to find. Thank you

[@blow-by-blow-trumpet]

It is very interesting to me watching this video again after a year. I've applying exactly these principles, using Flexus and other lip slur methods, playing 2-octave scales and arpeggios etc for the last year and it's definitely paying off. Whereas I was struggling to hit high Cs in practice before and anything above the staff felt hard I am now playing up to high Es on a good practice day (with a nice open sound) and hitting high Cs and Ds in band when everything's working properly. I think I'm getting way more lip in the mouthpiece and then using that to control the aperture. Thanks again for the great instruction.

[@kenzuercher7497]

Tito, this is the first video I watched since finding your channel. I'm a guitarist who studied French Horn in college but has always had issues with endurance and high register. I recently returned to playing horn after 40 years off. This video enabled me to pick up the horn cold and with the faster air play right up to high C as a real note for the first time ever! Not a wobbly squeal, a real centered note! My bassoonist wife was shocked! Now I watch all of your videos! Thank you so much!

[@massimobianchi3168]

Great thank you very much

[@zachwolfe8884]

Yes, I need Urbanessence NOW!

[@petersirca223]

Thank you ! If even a pro like you could have such limitations, this gives us amateurs hope as well. I was not able to break that high barrier on my tuba for 20+ years. I know that easy is crucial here as I occasionally blew (almost in error) a very high note without effort, but never managed to reproduce it consistently.

[@freeLM90]

Hi Tito! I'm going to buy your album on bandcamp! This is a great video that makes things more clear in the "high-note world" where info are quite confusing... Another interesting fact is that in both MRI videos the tongue touches the lips to strike the note!

[@Ron-dy3vz]

Spot on Tito. Finaly a good video. I am playing for more than 35 Years trumpet and my new Australian trumpet Teacher tells the same 👍👍👍🍀🍀🍀

[@Mememeandm]

Great tips!!!!!!!!!

[@ChildOfKingJesus57]

Greetings from Ireland Tito! You are a great teacher! Thank you! You have a new subscriber! I have been playing trumpet since the early mid "80" and I am unfortunately totally self taught. I'd get a few pointers with my father in law who was a fine trumpeter who started playing in his twenties in big band music in his brass group on a luxury liner from the USA to Britain in the mid 1930s. And went on playing most of his life. He put it down for awhile but, when he saw how much I loved playing he picked it back up. I purchased the "trumpet practice books and learned on my own. Fortunately I was fortunate enough to get a clear sound the first blowing into a trumpet. I wanted to play since I was a small child. Luis Armstrong was my favourite to listen to as a child. I have been playing since the mid "80s". I am now now 64. I can transpose on sight into different keys and have a clear sound. I practice 3 to 6 hours. But I have trouble playing very fast jazz. And I can only easily go up to F# to A but, can't go higher, only once in a while awhile. I used to love playing with my Father in law and he was happy to have someone to play with. We played a few times into the wee hours of the moring. We moved to Ireland and sadly He past away 😢. He was so kind to me and left me his fabulous and even a slide trumpet or more aptly called a saprano trombone. I have yet to learn it. I wish I had someone who could help me with the areas I have trouble. I have trouble doing the FAST Jazz articulations with many accidentals and fast double and triple tonguing. The ka ta ka ta ka... I need someone to help. There doesn't seem to be anymore here in Ireland accept someone who teaches trumpet to a marching band. And from the way they sound, I am probably beyond his teaching. I am truly hoping you can help me in these areas. I used to always play at church, but where we are now the musicians, accept for my hubby who is a classically trained violinist, all are guitarist who play by ear and have no idea and no way way of telling what key they are in most the time. I can't really play with them at this time, so I play the various Irish flutes in sifferent keys. My hubby can here what key they are in. So I play the flute with them. It's difficult to explain how I must transpose, it sounds like Japanese to them. I could play tthe trumpet if they would practice more than just awhile befor the meeting starts. So I play alone at home and somes with my hubby. I keep playing and LOVE to practice! I know someday I will play for my God and Saviour and I pray He is blessed. I willl pray that your operation is a success and our Lord who lloves yoou, give you the desire of yuour heart!❤✝️🕊🙏🏻

[@ParkersParksAndGardens]

Awesome, thanks for the help man! 3 months in 🎺

[@jaco108]

Really good thorough and engaging explanation Tito. Louis Maggio's book describes similar ideas. Thanks man.

[@ruialmeidatp]

Bravo Tito!

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Thank you Rui! 🙏🏽

[@jamesf1525]

Very nicely explained Tito. Will begin working on this daily. Simple (as in not complex), and obviously effective.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Thank you James! 🙏🏽

[@jonailabouni4890]

Tito! I'm only half way through the video, but I keep saying YES as I'm listening. So much of what you are presenting resonates exactly with what has worked for me as I can continue to develop as a trumpeter and what I'm finding works for my students.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Thanks for watching Jon! 🙏🏽

[@lawrencebrown1133]

😊😊😊 thank you!!!

[@davidbanner7972]

Thank You Champ

[@markhendrickson2610]

Thanks!

[@franbop2]

Right on Tito!!

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Bobito! What up maestro? Thanks for watching, much love! 🙏🏽

[@JayWilliams-ow6pt]

A few months ago I picked my trumpet back up after about 35 years. High notes have always been lip splitting punishment for me. Your video has really help me. I liked the part about Horizontal playing too. I also have hit some high notes that I’m amazed at. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

[@felixespinal9609]

Great advices

[@YourMom-nb3mf]

I just watched this video for the second time after 7 months and Ive leared a llot since then, and when i heard you say "hiw much air can you really blow throu a mouthpece anyway" it got me thingking so I tried it applied it to my horn and i was finally able to get to high E and it sounded good aswell. It really is mostly a mental game.

[@Jose_diazlife]

super nice, super

[@panchopascual516]

thank you very much...

[@Yoshinori76]

Hey Tito! I'm a former student of Todd Hastings and I remember you from trumpet fest! Great video and I'm going to see if this helps me bust through my break. Double A doesn't like to slot but I definitely overblow which is a big part of the problem!

[@3uphonium]

Nice videos!

[@marcusholmes8409]

This is the best tutorial on this subject I've seen so far.

[@AnonymousPatriot7]

lynn nicholson will kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGWVm2qurLSUfw will change your mind

[@blow-by-blow-trumpet]

Glad to see your back to fighting fit Tito. This is by far the best lesson on range I have ever seen. I've already discovered most of these things but putting them all together is still a challenge. I'm working with the Advanced Lip Flexibilities book and playing very very quietly. The MRI's of the tongue were brilliant to see. Thanks so much.

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Thanks so much Blow-by-Blow! 🙏🏽 Thinking horizontally has revolutionized my playing, as well as trying to take my lips “ out of the equation “ so to speak.

[@blow-by-blow-trumpet]

@@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605 You can call me Jon. Thanks again.

[@jimstrickland9068]

Tito you think as I have thought regarding the tongue & jaw relationship, congratulations my friend!

[@moiseseducation]

Big Master tito. Always my apretiation for u. You're always amazing. Take care.❤❤❤

[@jazzmindwithtitocarrillo605]

Gracias Moisés! 🙏🏽

[@jackormrod9128]

Great tutorial thank you ,keep well ,regards Jack

[@pulsepup0953]

Congrats man way to flip the switch 😊