I've been using a Schilke 29 for the past few months, but switched last week to a Schilke 28. I was having trouble hitting notes above high G cleanly and read that the 28 was good for the high register. I ignored the part that said it was ideal for a descant horn, which I don't play.

Now my high register is much more reliable, but the tone is odd. There's a peculiar hissing noise when I play, and the tone is less full-bodied than with the 29. My horn teacher said to only use the 28 for a week or two, to give my muscles a chance to adapt, but I've heard no difference so far.

I prefer the tone with the 29, but still can't hit notes well above high G. I do chromatic exercises, scales and arpeggios to help expand my usable range with the 29, but seem stuck at this point.

There's a concert coming up next month, and while I play 4th horn, there are still some places I have to play high A. Not doable the the 29, hissy with the 28. What to do?

Hmmmm.... I think I'd stick with the mpc that sounds the best. I would be reluctant to make a mpc change this close to a concert. Why not wait until after your concert(s)are over & you can work on it over the holidays?

Valerie Wells
The Balanced Embouchure Method
http://bebabe.wordpress.com/
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/

Mouthpiece rule number 1 - the better the tone the more work you need to do to paly the notes. The better the ability to hit the notes the more work you will have to do to make a nice tone.

I'm not there to see you but I would wager to guess that if you can hit the high G then you are trying to hard to hit the high A. Use the Schilke 29. Make sure you left hand is comfortable, make sure your fingers are in a rounding swoop (not flat fingered or buckled at the knuckles). Breathe in while actually saying the word "HOW" and blow out comfortably. As you go higher be sure to put more pressure on your LOWER lip not your upper lip. Let me say that again, if you are going to use pressure put more pressure on your lower lip not your upper lip when going higher.

Hows your G#? Oh, and try to play that High A just a little bit flat.

Thank you for the good advice. I have gone back to the 29, something my teacher also suggested because of the upcoming concert.

This morning after my usual slurs and scales warm-up, I focused on taking in a breath while saying "how" and going up the scale to high A and beyond. Lo and behold, there were notes, in tune, emerging. A sounded fine, as did Bb and B. C, after the first time, sounded strained. I can wait for C- I don't want to be greedy. I suspect the "how" has to do with lip shaping. Whatever it is, it works.

Also, my G# has been pretty good, unless I've been playing for a long time and am tired. It has been that small difference between G# and A that has tripped me up. It probably didn't help that I am playing on a new (to me)horn I bought in early August. The mouthpiece I bought in Sept.

Thank you for the help- I appreciate it.

You're welcome.
The how technique allows you to breathe in a full comfortable breath, sets the jaw and throat for a smooth full blowing out of air AND, ever so slightly tips the head and neck just a little to allow for a perfect airway to let the air out.

Also, is doedn't so much change your embouchure or aperture but it does put more mouthpiece pressure on your lower lip an dless on your upper lip. pressur eon the top lip cuts off your lip from vibrating. So you need less presure when going higher.

How does it. Isn't thinking about "HOW" so much easier than trying to think about those six other things?

I suspect the "how" has to do with lip shaping. Whatever it is, it works.

EXACTLY! Lip shaping has a profound impact on lips response to air movement.

The "ow" sound in the word "how", ever so slightly rolls the lips inwards towards the aperture (the little slit where the air blows through). Rolling the lips inward favors high notes. That's one of the universal principals exploited in the embouchure method I use.

Great teaching tip, John. Thanks!

Valerie Wells
The Balanced Embouchure Method
http://bebabe.wordpress.com/
http://www.beforhorn.blogspot.com/