I'm a junior in high school now and my range is about an A flat or B flat above the staff. Things are going well, but for some reason, on notes at high F# and above, I keep using more and more air, but I lose the note and odd as it may sound, seems like the air is actually releasing through my nose after a few seconds, and the back of my throat gets kind of a scratching sensation. I wish I knew how to describe my problem a little better, but even my band director had trouble understanding where I was coming from. I personally think it may be a result of my throat closing trying to hit higher notes, mostly because the problem clears up a bit when I play louder, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to play high and relax at the same time (especially while marching). If anyone has advice, I would really appreciate it.

Hey man,
Sorry you haven't gotten any replies to your post so far. I suspect the reason for that is, you're asking for specific diagnostic help that can only come from someone who can see you and hear you play.
One thing I will say...
From what you are describing, it sounds like you may be trying to play too high too fast. The leaking corners give me that impression. Maybe focus on a little lower range for now and work on building it up slowly. Use good form.
I have lots of speculations as to what your problem could be , but really, without hearing you and seeing you play, I just won't speculate.
Good luck man.

Hey there, sorry it took so long, been having some computer issues.

Anyway, Steve is correct. It's really hard to analyze with actually hearing AND seeing you play. But, from what I understand, here are a couple things.

It sounds like you are depending too much on your lip muscles to squeeze out the high notes. Don't think of them as high. The worst thing you can do when playing in the upper register is to squeeze down your lips, use more mouthpiece pressure, and under support. It sounds like you are hitting the note, and then they disappear? If that is the case, then you are almost using the proper amount of air to hit the note, then you are clenching down and adding pressure to keep them. As for the throat sound, you are squeezing so hard to keep the note, that your air has no way to get out of your body comfortably, so it creates extra back pressure, creating a throat buzz.

Here are some tips:

1. Every note you play on a brass instrument should have EXACTLY the SAME lip to mouthpiece pressure. You don't want to add pressure when you get higher, simply because that puts a strain on your lip buzz and makes the upper register thin and hard to keep.

2. Don't overuse your lip muscles. The amount of muscle that requires to play in the range of high Bb and above is the same amount that is required to hold a quarter horizontal using just your lips. (no teeth) When you use too much muscle, the same thing happens as when you use too much lip to mouthpiece pressure. The note gets thin and hard to keep.

3. Think of everything you do, high or low, in terms of air usage. Let's say, for example, that for low Bb your air is moving at 10 mph. That means tuning Bb the air would be moving at 30 mph, and high Bb your air is moving at 60 mph. VERY fast. Now combine that with air size and shape. Low notes get wiiiiiide slower air, higher notes get super fast air. Now think about what it takes to change from low notes with slow, wide air, to high notes with narrow, super fast air. How do you get the air to move that much faster through a smaller hole into a super narrow air shape? With more support.

Think about those when you work on range. This something that I have my students work on all the time, and it seems to work pretty well. ALWAYS think what your air is doing, NEVER what your lips are doing. Your lips will change automatically to support and keep their shape when you focus on lots of air. And the upper notes will be easier to hit and keep when they have the proper air support!

Now, think about those things and work more on fundamentals. Think about air when you play your long tones, pedals, and LOTS of lip slurs. If you can keep you air moving and fully supported all the way through the lip slur exercises, then you can relate that to supporting the upper register all the way through. Remember to think to blow ALL THE WAY through the note. Use MORE air to keep it, NOT more lips or more pressure.

Hope that works!

Man, there's no edit button. (Although I do like the auto spell check it Netscape 9)

First off, I meant to say "It's really hard to analyze with*OUT* actually hearing AND seeing you play....."

And, one more thing.

Another thing that could be happening is that you are simply under playing the notes, dynamic wise. Don't be afraid to play those notes "too loud" until you are comfortable with them. Let them fly, let them soar above. Just think to use "too much" air. Then, once you are comfortable hitting and keeping them, then you can start to add dynamics.

Remember, you have to have a good foundation with good bricks to build a house. The foundation is your fundamentals, and the bricks are your air. Without them, your house would just fall over.

Make sense? I hope so, I tend to ramble.

And again, like Steve said, without actually hearing and seeing what is going on, these are just guesses as to what it might be. The BEST thing you can do is to get a GOOD private teacher. "Good" being not some guy that just graduated and is now playing in some college marching band. Find your local university, and ask them who in the area a "good" trombone teacher would be. They will be more pricey, but they will teach you the right way first, which, in the long run, is worth the price.

Thanks for the help you guys. I really do appreciate it. I'm not actually taking lessons at the moment, but if I'm going to get serious about it I'll probably need to. But I'll be working on those higher notes.

It's funny (and kind or frustrating)...
I hear all kinds of young players talk about not being able to take lessons for one reason or another. And in my town, it's hard to even give lessons away. For what it's worth, if you lived near me I'd gladly help you out. Oh well....