Question about horn angle

    
Question about horn angle    20:29 on Tuesday, June 6, 2006          

LEADAHS
(17 points)
Posted by LEADAHS

I have an urgent problem. My horn angle is too low, meaning that my horn angles downward at a steep angle. Although I have noticed this problem before, but lately my band director has as well. I have tried to fix it but my high register which is normally well into the doubles decreases so much that I can barely play an octave above concert Bb. My tone and control also suffers greatly, please let me know if there are any excersizes that I can use or different way to fix this problem. I realise that it is going to take alot of work but I am unsure of how to go about it. Whenever I try to force the notes out, my old angle returns. Please help me with this.


Re: Question about horn angle    23:41 on Thursday, June 8, 2006          

trumpetgrl23
(47 points)
Posted by trumpetgrl23

Dont try to force notes. It is just a bad idea. Playing trumpet well is something that takes a lot of patience! I would just start taking it slowly, really making sure the angle is correct, and the so9und is good.

It also may have something to do with your teeth. If you have an overbite, then it will be natural to point your horn downwards, the bigger the overbite, the bigger the4 slope of the horn angle. And visa-versa with an underbite.

If the problem is in your teeth, you shouldn't force it.



Re: Question about horn angle    16:32 on Friday, June 9, 2006          

shmuckonwheels
(118 points)
Posted by shmuckonwheels

Same with me. Overbite and I tilt the horn downwards. Nothing I can do about it though and nothing I want to do about it. It's easier not to worry about it and just play.


Re: Question about horn angle    02:26 on Saturday, June 10, 2006          

Bach37
(1 point)
Posted by Bach37

It could be that this is your natural angle, also use of breath,facial muscle development can have a bearing.
Concentrate on breath and great tone. Imagine the sound you want,try to have it in your head when you play.
Find a great teacher even if only for a few lessons. Someone needs to be standing next to you who really knows what they're doing.




Re: Question about horn angle    20:05 on Thursday, June 15, 2006          

cancervivor
(40 points)
Posted by cancervivor

What ever angle of the horn to your embouchure is most comfortable is basically where you should play it.

It could be that you are letting your head move foward of center over your shoulders. If so, that contributes to an extreme downward angle of your horn. Try raising your chin away from your chest and pulling your head back slightly while keeping the same angle where your mouthpiece meets your embouchure. It may feel awkward at first, but with time, practicing with your head in correct relationship to the rest of your body will come to feel most natural and most comfortable. Remember correct posture. Head up. Back striaght and away from the back of your chair (when sitting). Shoulders relaxed and elbows not tucked into your ribs but away from your body at about a 45 degree downward angle. When playing in standing position place your feet at shoulder width with your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet. One foot slightly in front of the other is also often beneficial.


Re: Question about horn angle    20:56 on Saturday, December 2, 2006          

trumpetgrl23
(47 points)
Posted by trumpetgrl23

I wouldn't worry about it. If that is just the way your mouth is set and what is most efficient, then don't change the angle. I don't think there is anything wrong with a low angle (except maybe in Marching Band). Besides, by raising the angle, you are putting more pressure on your top lip which kills tone. I am actually having a bit of the opposite problem (too much pressure on my top lip), so, again I wouldn't worry about it.


Re: Question about horn angle    22:15 on Saturday, December 2, 2006          

TCLeadTpt09
(70 points)
Posted by TCLeadTpt09

Try this.
Close your mouth and put teeth together naturally. are your top teeth in front? If so, when you play the air comes down at an angle because your teeth are like

|
|

So the air comes out at an angle.
When youplay, try making your teeth like

|
|

so that the air comes out straight forward. Bring your bell up so that it is straight out, mybe even SLIGHTLY down. This is really only an issue for marching, because if you do it like you do now, your head is tilted pretty far back. That can interere with airflow (im going purely on speculation, since i cant be there to see it for myself)
I had this same problem.Your range will be back to normal after a week or 2 of getting used to it.
I had the same problem, a private teacher fixed it for me.

<Added>

Close your mouth and put teeth together naturally. are your top teeth in front? If so, when you play the air comes down at an angle because your teeth are like

|
|

So the air comes out at an angle.

<Added>

ok, so the diagram wont work, because i wont register where the top teeth were.
The top teeth will be too far forward, pushing the air down at an angle.


Re: Question about horn angle    18:05 on Monday, January 1, 2007          

trumpetfool72
(58 points)
Posted by trumpetfool72

im with leadtrpt

put your teeth how you would play
put your mouthpiece on your teeth (no lips)
put the trumpet on the mouthpiece
thats where it should be with your lips when you play


   




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