Recent Questions

Q: Hello I was wondering if you could better explain how to achieve a darker sound. My sound tends to be on the brighter side. Although it is a good trumpet sound I would like something a bit darker for my legit playing. I have currently been playing long tones for at least 20 min. a day but I am uncertain if this is the only thing I need to do. Plus what is a good practice routine. I want to be able to touch all the bases and become the most well rounded player possible.
I appreciate your time.

Thanks, Matt

A:

Dear Matt,

Thanks for your questions.

Achieving a "darker" sound (or a different sound than for that matter) is directly related to who and what you listen to.
Start to build a library of trumpet and orchestral CD that you want to copy. Ask your private teacher, band director, or local college teacher for a list. Over time your playing will adjust.

A word of advice...Much of the trumpet teaching and preparation in this country is geared to becoming an orchestral player. I think young people would do far better by becoming as versatile as possible.

What's a good practice routine? One that gets you where you want to be as a trumpet player and musician. Start by asking your teacher!!

Doug Wilson

Q:

Dr. Wilson,

I am a high school junior and have been playing the trumpet going on 6 years. I played 2nd chair in the jazz band my freshman and sophomore year, and I have recently learned I will be playing first chair in the jazz band next year as our band's "star" trumpet player just graduated. I have never played a solo where I've had to improvise, and I have no idea what to do. I've taken Music Theory I and II and know a bit about chord structure, etc., but we did not focus on how to improvise. We don't really learn improvisation in our jazz band either, and it seems everyone else already knows what they're doing when it comes to soloing. I do fine when the music is written out for me, but it's making it up on a whim that I'm worried about. I have no idea what to play! Do you have any tips for me? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Christina


A:

Dear Christina,

Thanks for your question. Today's trumpet player indeed has to know much more than their counterparts of a generation ago. Playing jazz (or at least being comfortable in commercial idioms is a must)

I regularly use the Aebersold books and in particular Jim Snidero's Jazz Conception Series. I would start with the Easy Jazz Conceptions and work thru the series. They are great for reading, style and improvising. Since you have a theory background, you might also consider Pat Harbison's “Technical Studies for the Modern Trumpet for Jazz, Classical and Commercial Players.” Long title …..great book.

Learning how to get around 2/5/1 patterns is VERY IMPORTANT. The Aebersold books or Randall Reyman's Technical Drills- Kendor Music are good place to begin.

Just make it a regular part of your practice, don't over do it, and relax!

Doug Wilson

Q: I am a freshman in high school and have been playing since 6th grade. I have noticed that the middle of my top lip puffs up when I play. I think it is affecting my airflow. For at least a year, I had been trying to get my range consistent to a C above the staff but always started having trouble at the G on the staff. I was also having endurance issues and often got tired after only a few minutes of playing. I recently noticed that my top lip puffed up after watching a video of me playing. I talked to my private teacher about the problem and he said that it was probably affecting my range and that I should make sure that my mouth is very firm when I play. Could it be affecting my endurance, too? I have been trying to keep everything firm when I practice, but I am not having any success. Are there any particular exercises I should do? I have probably had this issue since I started playing, so I am worried that I may have never truly learned what the correct embouchure is. Could it be that my embouchure is too relaxed, or is just totally wrong? Is there a process I should go through when I put my mouthpiece up to my mouth to ensure a correct embouchure? My other concern is that my chin moves up as I play higher. Could that be doing any damage to my playing? Any advice is greatly appreciated.



A:

Thank you for your questions.

I think far too many developing players worry about their range. If you practice intelligently and consistently, your range will improve. But, you do have to do exercises that develop or challenge your range. This is best done with a private teacher, primarily because he/she is an unbiased observer (and most likely has been where you are.)

Working on range will also affect your endurance because you will tire under the work. These are all natural parts of learning to play the instrument.

I am a believer in the process that ones embouchure is not as important as most believe.

The great teacher, William Adam, came to understand that “trumpet playing is 90% mental, 9% air and 1% embouchure”. After 40+ years of playing, I have come to appreciate his wisdom. I have seen and heard many fine players and no two are exactly alike. Just relax, practice, perform, and have fun!


Doug Wilson

Q: I was recently in a clinic and asked about mouthpiece pressure, because i definitly use to much. I get a ring when I take the trumpet off my face and i feel feel pain in my upper lip where my teeth are. The teacher in the clinic said I should just get the trumpet off my face when I realize I am doing it, but that didn't really help. He also talked about getting the right balance between pressure and air. How do i do that?


Answer:

Dear Ally,

I think what the clinician was trying to say is that you should not play with that much pressure or tension. And when it begins to hurt you need to stop playing. If it hurts when you are playing, you are doing something wrong.

My best advice is for you to find a trumpet teacher that can help you. If you are taking lessons now, change teachers!

Dr. Douglas Wilson
Moderator, Ask the Teacher - ITG Web Forum
http://www.trumpetguild.org/itgyouth/about.htm
Yamaha Artist /Clinician

Q:

I'm a first chair high school trumpet player from Missouri. Marching band has just started and we have full day rehearsals from 7 am-2pm; five days a week for the next three weeks. I'm on first part and I am expected to play all the time. Well I have a problem. I can't play in the mornings. Like my lips dont fully wake up till the mid afternoon. I can't play anything higher than I g right above the staff until like 2 pm. and that's a problem because I need to play high “C” in the show. I can play them when my lips are ok. But they just dont want to move in the morning. It's like they are still asleep. I dont know what to do. I practice hours a day. I always get a good warm up. I know I can play the high notes; it's just in the mornings my lips dont work. And I have to play my part during rehearsal. What can I do? Any advice would be appreciated.



A:
Dear Michael,

Thanks for your question. It gives me an opportunity to address a situation that many high school trumpeters in the US are facing now; Fall Marching Band! I think your situation is directly related to the long (and hard) amount of playing you are doing now before school starts.

Most likely, you have not been playing this hard and long during the summer and now you chops have to adjust. Older players might remember playing the Ice Capades or Circus (thankfully --or painfully--not done anymore.)


I STRONGLY urge you to take the time to warm down at the end of band by doing Pedal tones. Add flutter tonguing to your pedals after a minute or so. The main point is to get your face relaxed and the blood moving thru to clean out the lactic acid buildup. The mouth and nose area should "tingle" somewhat. LET IT! DONT MASSAGE THE AREA. Just let it tingle a little. 10 Minutes will probably be enough. You can eat a snow cone to help stop the swelling.

After a heavy regimen of playing, the lips swell and are unresponsive until blood flow helps reduce the swelling- usually several hours - afternoon.

In the morning before band, warm up slowly and gently. Do pedals again. Dont be in a hurry to play your solos and charts (i.e. high notes). If needed play the notes down an octave (8vb) Your BD will understand.

Playing like this takes a little experience. Unfortunately, by the time you have it; you will be out of HS and not be doing this kind of playing normally. Marching Band in College is usually not this strenuous or time demanding.


Note of interest to other readers:

As a former college teacher, the number one reason I heard from musicians who did not continue music in college was they were afraid of the time commitment; a situation compounded by their HS experience and various “uninformed” guidance counselors.