High notes quietly??

    
High notes quietly??    13:13 on Friday, January 12, 2007          

Kathryn002
(8 points)
Posted by Kathryn002

Hi. I am Kathryn and I have played the trumpet for a while, around a year, but I still haven't quite mastered doing the high notes quietly. When the piece is to be played Piano or Pianisamo (sorry, can't spell it!) and there are several high noted thoughout it, I end up playing more loudly than is recommended for that bit of music. I do it because you obviously require more oxygen to play higher notes, so I blow harder through the mouthpiece, therefore reating a louder noise. How can I prevent this?
Thanks,
Kathry


Re: High notes quietly??    16:02 on Saturday, January 13, 2007          

NeilPM
(1 point)
Posted by NeilPM

Yes you are correct in saying that air flow gets the High Notes, but it is also correct that the faster the Air, the loader the notes can be. It is all about the support that you give the Air. Try playing scales in the dynamic range of piano into your upper range...up then down. Be also conscience of not trying to force these notes out for this will have a negative result. If you practice focusing your air with out too much pressure and with support, it is possible. Good Luck

Neil


Re: High notes quietly??    16:11 on Saturday, January 13, 2007          

Kathryn002
(8 points)
Posted by Kathryn002

Thanks a lot. I will try that.


Re: High notes quietly??    14:10 on Sunday, January 14, 2007          

trumpetbumpett
(28 points)
Posted by trumpetbumpett

I have the exact opposite problem. When I Play anything Higher than a high D I can't get enough volume.


Re: High notes quietly??    15:00 on Sunday, January 14, 2007          

Kathryn002
(8 points)
Posted by Kathryn002

Hahaha.
I've not been playing long so I can't play very high notes yet.
But I'm still learning.


Re: High notes quietly??    13:41 on Monday, January 15, 2007          

trumpetgrl23
(47 points)
Posted by trumpetgrl23

Practice. Playing quietly, especially in the upper range is one of the most challenging things you will face. It is all about air flow. About 2 months ago, I couldn't hold a straight pitch because my air stream wasn't consistent. So for about a week and a half, I slurred everything in my practice time. This helped me gain a consistent air flow. Also, you may try practicing breath attacks at lower dynamics.


Re: High notes quietly??    13:46 on Monday, January 15, 2007          

Kathryn002
(8 points)
Posted by Kathryn002

Thank you very much. I shall try that.


Re: High notes quietly??    20:44 on Saturday, January 27, 2007          

Herald_Trumpet3
(122 points)
Posted by Herald_Trumpet3

No one answered the question about playing notes of above high C or high D loudly... I have that problem too... I always close off my throat when I play high E or higher. When I open my throat, it hurts my lips for a second and the pitch bends falt really bad and then falls to the next partial down. Anyone know how to stop this from happening? ( I know everyone will say the obvious "practice and lip slurs," but I have been practicing and it hasnt exactly helped...) any advice?


Re: High notes quietly??    21:16 on Saturday, January 27, 2007          

trumpetkid89
(108 points)
Posted by trumpetkid89

I can help both of you out. When people play high, high being whatever is high for there range, they either can't play loud enough or soft enough. When reaching the upper register it's harder to control your air. But remember, air isn't the only thing needed to play high or quietly. You're lips do have a part in this. When trying to play soft, we try to play soft and we blow air faster and faster and faster till we get a sound, whether it's loud or soft. But there should also be movement in the lips. Try using lip movements to play softer. Use a ton of air, but not fast air. But since you're a beginner, you shouldn't be worrying about that. Project and play with a nice fat sound whenever you can. Try to read your dynamics, but make sure you're sound is always present. The dude with problems with the playing high notes loud. What makes loud? Faster air. More air = less work. Blow hard through the mouthpiece. If this problem still occurs, get a mouthpiece that is a bit bigger than the one you're still using. Choosing a mouthpiece is sometimes a problem. Go into a store that sells mouthpieces and try out a hole bunch of them with different sizes. Have someone give you the mouthpieces to try out, but make sure you're blind folded so you don't know what mouthpiece you're using. The person giving you the mouthpieces can record how good what was on each mouthpieces. Whatever turns out to be the best in a few try out sessions will be the best mouthpiece for you. Try doing a low g to a high g arpeggio.(g-b-d-g-b-d-g) then back down. Then try it with the c maj arpeggio. (C-e-g-c-e-g-c) then back down. What sounds good? what sounds bad? How does it feel? Does it feel like the air is going through the mouthpiece like you're sighing, or does it feel like the air is getting through with resistance also. Or does it feel like there is too much resistance with air struggling to get through the hole in the mouthpiece? If anyone has any questions, send me an email and i'll be glad to help you out. good luck. trumpetkid89@gmail.com <- email


Re: High notes quietly??    04:24 on Sunday, January 28, 2007          

Kathryn002
(8 points)
Posted by Kathryn002

Thank you very much. All your suggestions have been put into action and there is already a difference.
Thanks again everybody,
Kathryn


Re: High notes quietly??    07:15 on Sunday, January 28, 2007          

Herald_Trumpet3
(122 points)
Posted by Herald_Trumpet3

Thanks TrumpetKid. When I made my post I was hoping you would answer it. I hadn't even thought about using a different mouthpiece. Thanks again.


   




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