Trumpet tip, an approach to range development
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- This video is a discussion of range development and discovery. Equipment is not the answer as much as a good approach is. I highly recommend studying this important aspect of trumpet playing with an excellent teacher. They should have a solid range and an excellent approach thus being able to assist you with learning the same.
Check out Charlie Porter's channel for more great advice. / hotlipsporter
I'm one of my top players at my high school. They gave me 1st part on all my music because of this lesson. Thank you very much
+Gregorio Bucio What ,no way... well I am sure you are simply a good young player and I am very happy for you keep it up!
Hi Jon, we miss you very much! What a wonderful teacher you were! I'm sure a lot of us think of you when they play…
And : « Remember this is supposed to be fun » was always your motto...
Thank you, thank you so much for everything! Rest In Peace...
58 years old, started playing 3 weeks ago due to a dream. Couldn't get hi C. But dang, that spitting seeds thing at the end worked like a charm! Not sure what I was playing, but it sure was high. Thanks!!!
Lol well now you opened the door.
I'm an 8th grade trumpet player (5th chair) a I've been playing trumpet since mid 2011. This has greatly improved my range and it has taken me a long time to find a video that explains it well. I have a 1978 olds ambassador Fullerton calif that belonged to my father, and it can take a beating! And I've found that it is very easy to play high on. Thank you for the lesson
I appreciate how your instructional videos are based in relevance to each player, and the clear way you communicate each concept and step. The other thing very cool about your presentation is, ya got personality. But don't think we're gonna be swapping mouthpieces or anything.
I’ve seen this video before, but had to go back after an Embouchure change, and the popping the note helps because it engages the core for when you to the “top” note
I think your videos are the best videos on RUclips for range studies and the explanation of jaw position, tongue, air, etc. I appreciate these a lot. Most guys would offer a teaser and then sell the rest. Thank you!
You are very welcome
Trumpet Sizzle😩
Great video!
People always are asking me how to play high and I just tell them to play high. There's no other way to find what works for you. I only practice range when I'm alone in the house. Well, the cat runs and hides!
Great session on range studies. Thanks for sharing. Love your very sensible approach
I typically make 3 attempts at the, “next highest note”. Each attempt I concentrate on support, form and hearing what I am playing before I play it. Always get a good sound and do not play so hard or so much you hurt yourself. Be smart. After you find your terminal range then warm down a bit and put the horn away for a couple of hours.
What a great video on technique over equipment. FWIW, your Olds Ambassador cornet is from the late 1950's or earlier. Either an early Fullerton or a Los Angeles horn. I can tell by the pinky ring and the brace on the third valve slide.
markgandcompany I’m rather confident that my cornet is from the mid late 50s. It is my first instrument. I started playing in 1968
I watched this video, went away and played higher notes - just like that! Many thanks for this
Best range advice I've ever heard.
great playing and fabulous teaching great package well done sir
Very good presentation and wonderful lesson. I learned a lot. Thanks!
Thank you for this long awaited video!
You're lesions are terrific. Thanks.
Your spelling is horrific (JK)
Exceptionally good and informative video - thanks a lot.
I have an audition for my major change in a few weeks, and I havebt played in months. These lessons are extremely helpful, thank you!!
I have that very same cornet with a Blessing 3C MP - it cost me a whopping $100 with a nice Bach case and the MP was about $26.
I'm working through a book called Embouchure Builder was is tons of lip slurs, I highly recommend it.
Hey John!
Im a fellow highschooler with big dreams on becoming a professional trumpet player. Currently taking Advanced Placement music theory and Part of my high school Jazz band. I love your videos! you are one of my few inspirations along with eric miyashiro and arturo Sandoval. What i like about you is that having the skill you have with the horn, still manage to give your best advice to the "young player". I would really love for you to make a video on choosing the Right mouthpiece. Ive currently been playing the horn for 3 years and my range is about a D#/Eb above the staff. But i never really thought about mouthpieces and which one works best for me. I take all of your advices very seriously and would appreciate it if you made such a video.
I am planning to do a video on equipment soon.
Wonderful vid. I'm in 8th grade and my range is Eb above the staff so hopefully this will help a lot.
I am beginner and found your videos to super! Thank you!
Hi John . Great to see you again .
Stan Watkins hey nice to hear from you. I hope you are well! Thank you for all the wonderful experiences working together, I learned a great deal during those times. If you see any of the Springs folks please say hello for me and pass along my thanks. Some very fine folks indeed.
Best, Jon
Rufftips Will do .
As a tuba player trying to get a solid Eb(two bars above the staff), this is extremely helpful! Most brass tips apply to all brass in my opinion.
Sound Great! great sense of humor too!!!
Diego, Swelling is caused by several things. Lack of practice is one. How much pressure you are using is another. Propper air suport or the lack of proper air support can be another. You also may be playing too loud in the attempt to play high. So if you are using a good approach you will last longer and have less swelling. Practice is the key to learning a good approach.
Hey man! Loved the video. Funny enough i have the same trumpet and i loveit but i have a 60s ambassador cornet instead of the 70s you have. Sound killin man! Keep it up.
That is right
this help to improve my range a lot, maybe now im at a good enough rage to work on joining Drum Corps
Brilliant advice
I’m going to randomly push out any note as I slur up and down with my gut!.
👏👏🎺🎺
I’m 13 and I’m doing my grade 7 and really need to work on my upper range and this will help a lot because I can only just about do a D above the stave on my trumpet thank you
It’s simply Vegan Be sure to take a look at the range playlist a lot of information in there. ruclips.net/p/PLjtQbOLXI0BB_2bn5GjxlWCYsEM8DDVTH
Awesome presentation. I just love all the insight it's amazing.
My banjo is out every day and after watching a 90 minute best of Bix, this came on and forced me to take out my trumpet case ... empty, my Olds Ambassador trumpet was over on the stand I made under a plastic bag. Had to go over and try to learn something (although playing something was another thing entirely) I've been resisting my wind instruments, one of my clarinets etc. (asthma neb treatments), ditto for the Didg (yidaki et al) Thanks for the insights and re-connection.
Very good question. I have a set that is slightly off center because of the way my teeth are shaped. I also had a catastrophic injury to my lip in 2006. I needed 4 stiches and had to eventually get plastic surgery. I needed to learn to play over again twice. I will do my best to figure out a way to discuss this topic.
Great presentation btw, got some very good advice from your video.
Cool sound on your Ambassador Cornet, you should use it again!
Your videos are GREAT. Thank! You. Are. The. Man.
Thank hope they help and good luck.
This could be due to several things combined or a single event. It could be too much pressure or you are taking the study too far. I recommend doing your study at the end of the day. it should not knock you out of commission 4 hours later. Do not take a day off but do start the next day slow and easy. You might alternate days with studies and intensity. Not every day should be a beating. Range can be appoachecd on several different levels. Alternate intensity from day to day. Good luck. Jon
Tongue arch is just one of many techniques to gain range. Used as part of a more comprehensive system, it can be very effective. However, it is not necessary to move your tongue to play higher. Yes, there are some videos of x-rays showing tongue arch, while others show none or very little. Ask a great orchestral player who understands tongue arch this question, "Do you arch the tongue higher as you ascend?" Most great players will answer, "That depends on the music I'm performing and the tone I intend to create." Great players use tongue arch when they want to change the tone more so than an aid to play higher. So how do they play higher then? And higher with a huge Mahler sound? There are answers to these questions.
Sorry....the xray video doesn't lie. It's about a mixture of tongue arch and air column, and the push of that air column over the tongue arch for the upper register, and the strength of the corners to hold on. Claude Gordon was so right on with this. He also brought a fluoroscope machine to a clinic where a player in the audience said the same thing that his tongue doesn't move. CG had him dead to rights when the challenger did indeed move his tongue upwards to move up in range. As a 50 year pro player I can attest and concur with Mr. Ruff on this.
Mister Harrelson:
And the answers are?
thank u very much sir for sharing these knowledge :)
Great video
Played concert c scale 2 octave in 6th grade, hit a double C today in 9th grade after watching this, thanks!
Grant S. Wow how cool is that!!!!
You. Are. Da. Bomb.
Great great videos.
He did a great job!!
I've used this advice to improve my range and found that using a silent brass mute helped me to preserve my marriage while doing so :-)
Stephen Hill That is absolutely excellent news
man thanks this hepls a lot
UltimateTechX, Can you play a chromatic scale from your lowest note to your highest without changing your chops? If the answer is no then you will always have problems changing registers.Without seeing what you are doing it is difficult to say it is bad. I think it is important to be able to change registers without excessive shifting or moving things around. This is not an absolute and needs to be carefully approached. You might get with a good upper register payer and have them take a look.
Sounds logical to challenge your focus and muscles :)
This video motivated the fuck outta me man, thanks!
I have that same exact cornet omg
Thanks so much! I have to play first in HS jazz band next year and a high E really isn’t gonna cut it.
Best of luck to you in your development remember never play to the point of hurting yourself. Rest when you need to. Best, Jon
Unless you’re playing college/pro jazz charts, there’s no reason a high E above high C shouldn’t be high enough for your HS ensemble.
The olds ambassador cornet was my first horn also....crazy right?! I have a Kanstul 1503c now
Check out Eric Bolvin he has so very cool improv information.
hey kids ! Why is it harder to play high on a flugel? This video is great by the way i've learned to play higher by backing off on the way up
Well there is this video. ruclips.net/video/vVC53PrBJEE/видео.html
Flugelhorn mouthpieces are much deeper and typically V shape. This means we need to create a different focus with our mouth as we play in the upper register. When you play with the right approach it is not that difficult to play in the upper register on a Flugelhorn. Best, Jon
Rufftips Thanks for taking the time to reply I'll take a look at that video as well. I've just picked up a new yamaha flugel so I'll get some practice in. ruclips.net/video/huX70KFPxjk/видео.html
Jung Kim, I have known a few players that play with a completely dry embrasure. They have commented that this allows them to play in all conditions and do not have issues if they go dry. I play wet but don’t think about it. I am sorry that I cannot give you any real information that will help. The only thing I can say is if you play with a wet embrasure it should or normally will remain the same from top to bottom. If you are going dry as you ascend you might have other issues. I wish I had more.
Rufftips
Niklas The fingerings for notes above high C are the same as the fingerings you use for those notes an octave down above 3rd space C in the staff. This is the same on any trumpet. The piccolo is sounding the octave up so fingerings will be the ones for notes in the staff. Check on line for a, “trumpet fingering chart”, if you have any doubts.
It would be great if you could do an improvisation video. (How to improvise better)
Brilliant!
Hey Jon.
Can you recommend a good chord/scale book for doing exercises like this?
What is general time frame from beginning to learn to hitting those really high notes, assuming consistent practice?
6 months? 1 year? 3 years?
Hi I just want to thank you for the advice on both this and the technique video you made. I have a question about this. My highest comfortable high note is sadly an A above the staff. If I were to work on this everyday could I potentially have a comfortable high c after the second month. I have an audition in two months that I really want to have a comfortable high c for
no one I think that working on these types of range studies is a necessary part of trumpet playing. We have to secure our register no matter what that register might be. I think it is possible to achieve your goal but you're asking a lot of yourself without having any individual guidance to help you. If I was in your position I would start working on this. Never play to the point of hurting yourself and always achieve a good sound soft or loud. I wish you good luck and hope this all works out for you. Best, Jon
Do comprehensive search on the net and you should find what you need. Let me know if you are not able to find something.
I like your tongueing 😄
out of curiosity, have you been a natural player or have you had to overcome embouchure problems?? do you have any clips on proper embouchure set up??
Thank you Chad and flugelman44
Kentaro M, I hope this helps. It is difficult to become extremely specific about how to approach range without working one on one. Focused air and good support is key.
Hi Jon! I have a question: When im going up obove the C (above the staff), how can I reach the D, E, F and so on? What do I have to press down? (On a piccolo, is it easier to hit them? I know I need to have the range, but is it something I have to push down on the piccolo to reach the notes above the C in the staff (piccolo)?
Basically the same D on the staff on a piccolo trumpet will be 1-3. It's the same Trumpet fingerings until you play below an F# on the staff. D above the staff on piccolo is still 1st valve and so is f. but "double E" is still open. Look up fingering charts for piccolo trumpet
Question, do you just stop as soon as you can't get a sound out of the horn?
Hey John I mainly play trumpet and has gotten a shallow mouthpiece as oppose to my regular 7c, is it okay to to use this gear as opposed to a regular mouthpiece and building your range on that. This has been in the back of my mind for a long time and just want to ease my mind a bit since right now I want range like many other trumpet players but feel like I'm cheating a little bit with my mouthpiece. Have a great day sir.
David Nguyen I think it’s fine to work on register on a small mouthpiece. I don’t think there’s any cheating involved. Playing a smaller mouthpiece means you must learn to play efficiently. I have used multiple sized mouthpieces as far as cup depth goes to achieve the correct sound for the job that I’m doing. I truly think of things in terms of sound and not size. If you are using two mouthpieces for different types of playing be sure to practice a little bit on both mouthpieces. Best, Jon
@@Rufftips Thank you sir
When I am tired at night but still want to get a session in before bed ( huge difference between early am and late pm practice my chops are tired) ..shall work the chops anyway trying to push the embroucher to the max even tho my sound is suffering, do to a lazy tongue and fried lips with hopes of additional challenge to gain more endurance going forward?
Paul Dance The mouthpiece I would recommend is a Stomvi Flex 5G VR Vs I would talk to the boys at Stomvi-USA about this
I wouldn’t necessarily push them as hard as I could in the evening practice session I would try to play and maintain a good tone resting very often to achieve this goal of good tone. Doing this you may find that you will be able to do this process longer and longer in the evening.
Hi John,
Excellent video!!! Just one thing I'd like to point out: Though I get what you're describing regarding the good idea of giving the top notes a kick of air (and Claude Gordon had me do that exact thing on various flexibilities), your use of the term "isometric surge" is misleading. Isometric muscle tension is caused when a muscle works against an immovable force, or when antagonistic groups of muscles work against each other causing no movement. In the case of breathing/blowing muscles, any isometric tension would be involving the inspiration muscles working against the expiration muscles. While this type of tension is useful if one is about to get punched in the gut, isometric tension in the breathing muscles inhibits air flow.
Best wishes,
John Mohan
It was a term used By Bobby Shew and my unscientific mind thought this was a decent description of flexing muscles to create the energy necessary to support the air column. I am not a doctor, scientist or engineer, too much work. The need to be specific about terminology is too intense for me. Thanks for the insight.
Rufftips Hi John, I engage the ab muscles by pressing or squeezing them inward against the diaphragm . I find doing that increases air stream speed and that is needed for higher notes. Squeezing,I find helps enormously for high notes and eases the work of the embouchure. Hope I haven't muddled the always frustration of understanding playing high notes,lol Nice series of videos you have created John.
Could you do a video on how to play chords?
Pierce McIntyre There are a ton of great books out there that cover chords. You could do a Google search for that. Basically what I’m saying here is any cord practice you would do to include the cords that are presented in the Arban book should be played throughout your full register. I will do my best to put a video together explaining what I’m talking about. Classical players and jazz players or commercial players will practice the cords a little bit differently because of the chords that they encounter in the music they are playing. This may be something helpful to outline I will see what I can do.
Rufftips thank you for the response! I think that sounds interesting like different kinds of arpeggios basically? Your advice is really great in this video and really nice how you get to the core and reality of things. Thank you
Pierce McIntyre You are correct and on the right track. What we’re talking about is major, minor, diminished, whole tone, and a host of other chords that you can work on in all registers. Again I would look into finding either a music theory book or a chord study book. Then you utilize these cords throughout all the register to both increase your register and your harmonic knowledge
Rufftips I know my chords pretty good from studying piano, so I have been practicing today, major with dominant on the way down, harmonic minor with dominant down, half and fully diminished, and a three note whole tone arpeggio. Then I am thinking of doing different patterns like 1-5-3-8
Pierce McIntyre this is an excellent approach. You can learn a particular pattern on a set of cords and then change up the pattern. Be creative be inventive and definitely play these chords throughout your full register. Best, Jon
Does dry lip affect playing higher notes like high E and up ?? It happens when I try to play with dry lips ..
Well if it does not work don't do it. Best Jon
Hi John, how often do you think if someone practices everyday (3-4 hours) should see range improvement? Currently my range is a high C, first C above the staff, I feel like I'm getting more comfortable above the staff but I can't seem to ever squeeze out a C#
Range development is not directly correlated to the amount of time practiced. It has to do with the development of technique. Unfortunately the explanation of proper technique is an elusive topic. How much to practice and what to practice is an individual requirement. Not sure if you have checked out my range play list but there is more information in the videos in this list. ruclips.net/p/PLjtQbOLXI0BB_2bn5GjxlWCYsEM8DDVTH
When I was first exploring range it took 4 or so years to have a breakthrough that led to further gain in range. During the process I developed a solid command of my usable range but gaining register was slow. I had to discover how to go beyond my break. This is discussed in this video. ruclips.net/video/4XmrI5yvmTw/видео.html
Range should be part of a well-balanced practice routine and patience will prevail. I wish I had a perfect answer but I do not. I believe lessons with a good teacher help and are key to development as a player. Best, Jon
It's basically like that: show your trumpet who's the Boss.
Around the 5 minute mark I'm confused... when you say learn to back off and learn to control our air, are you saying to eventually NOT use any extra air? And if so, what's the substitute? Or do you mean not to physically push the trumpet to our lips?
What I am saying here is to discontinue the extra push of air to reach the top note once you have secured this top note. In other words once the top note is being repeated from day to day change the approach and smooth out the sound by using a more constant air stream or air support. You can hear and see a difference in approach I smooth out the slur at 5:32. When I say back off I mean stop the extra push on that top note and use your air support or air compression to make it speak with a smooth approach like the notes in the slur below it. You always use air there is no substitute. What I am talking about is if… if, you use the extra air push to pop out that next higher note the goal is to eventually stop doing that and play that note with the same control you use for the notes that precede it in the exercise. In this moment of the video I am not talking about pushing the trumpet into our lips. Too much pressure on our lips certainly can be a bad thing and stop us from increasing our range and cause damage. Best, Jon
Ok, so basically it's basically always control of air speed, but at first, you might use the air push in a more forced manner at your highest note? That makes sense. Thanks very much
After I`ve done my range exercises my chops are practically done for the day,even 4 hours later they are weak.Somebody told me " take a day off ", but tat does not seem to work. HELP!
This is when equipment fit needs to be addressed.
How hard should I press the mouthpiece to my lips??? or does it vary???
Oh boy this is a very difficult question. Only firm enough to maintain a seal. This should not be mistaken for air slipping out of your lips outside the mouthpiece ring. That is a different problem involving lack of strength and control of your embrasure. Don't jam the mouthpiece in hard it will cut off your buss. Best, Jon
This is GREAT in theory, but I run out of notes at hi C and when I go for the C# I get an airball or some other crazy shit. I keep trying but more often than not I just end up with mashed lips !! HELP.
Try playing softer and focus on airstream and support not pressing in and blowing like madd. Best, Jon
adf hgd That's great. thank you so much for these useful tips.57D
You're playing a Bach 3D on that cornet? How is that not a shallow mouthpiece? Or did I get that wrong?
+Philippe Kinnaer It is about the same cup volume as a Bach 3D. There are much shallower cups out there. The point being this is not a commercial mouthpiece and I am playing a cornet. The cornet is not a commercial horn. Range is about technique not equipment. Equipment helps you achieve the sound you are trying to get or the sound is appropriate for the type of music you are playing.
Yes, there are a lot of pieces that are shallower, but that doesn't make a 3D not shallow ;) But I do see your point, range has nothing to do with equipment, you could play a double c on a tuba mouthpiece if you use the proper technique. Anyway, great video with some great advice. This really helps.
Thank you
but.. i want a bobby shew
heh, I was gonna buy a Stomvi planet crusher trumpet, now I just gonna go through my closet an' look for my Olds cornet..... what's K.O.'s take on this?
K.O. found the concept interesting he contiued to postulate the benefits of the best equipment you can buy.
I believe i have found a RUclips bug........ the channel name for this video shows all of the channels with videos that I have recently watched........ "LastStandGamersDream Assembly!Dream Assembly!TheXPGamersRufftipsRufftips"...... lol?
Hello sir, I've been playing trumpet for nearly 10 years and I can't go higher than G on the staff, no high C yet. I did everything (slurs, bends, flows, you name it). I play with a centered nice embouchure, not jamming my MP into lips, using lots of air (I can play highest notes on clarinet no problem). For some reason my lips just don't respond for higher notes on trumpet. Is there a chance that my lips structure or facial muscles setup just won't support the higher range on trumpet? For instance you can take as an example 2 similarly built people, one will be a World champion in running, another will be useless in that area.
John Piettro It certainly is possible that you have a facial structure that does not lend itself to playing in the upper register. Most every player that I have worked with or known can play a high C. It is usually in the area above this that we find ourselves separating those that can play there and those that can’t. You mentioned that you can play the highest notes on clarinet this makes me believe that you do play clarinet. Clarinet uses a completely different embouchure. You’re rolling your lower lip in over the teeth and you actually form a bit of an overbite. Playing into the upper register our jaw is very key to our success here. Our jaw position is going to move with register. How we utilize our tongue is important as well. The jaw and the tongue work together. The key to this is doing flexibility exercises and learning how to create the different positions for the different notes. I have not done a video on bending notes but if you bend from a C in the staff down to a G in the staff you will feel things move. When you’ve bend slowly down to the G the G will pop in to place. Once you’ve done this a couple of times you need to pop right back up to the C. Basically bend down to the G and then shoot right back up to the C. Pay attention to the motion and understand what you’re doing. This is mechanics, this is the mechanics of playing the trumpet. Jaw position and tongue position are important. We have to also use breath support and control. These four items are a major component of how to play into the upper register. I do have A video on jaw position and breath control and support.
ruclips.net/video/13wyUXZj1X8/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/LJXt8SL8VWo/видео.html
@@Rufftips Thank you very much for taking time to reply! I only mentioned clarinet to support my claim I have good breath support, I've played trumpet exclusively for the last 5 years. I play with my lower jaw forward to keep the teeth aligned. I do everything right to succeed but I fail for some reason. Maybe I'm one of a few with really low abilities to play above G on the staff. I'm 48 and I started to play trumpet when I was 40 but I don't think age is a factor here.
A Bach 3D should be shallow. A 3 is big, but a D cup is shallow.
Not really. Even most Bach E cups aren’t shallow compared to other makes :). And they have backbores that are too big, and rims that hurt you, and throats that are too big, and no consistency... I could go on. Bach’s are the least consistent mouthpiece line ever made.
6 years and 60K views while the one with the squeaker stuck in #3 slide probably has millions. People don't want to work for it;)
AJ Ca lol, entertainment is always going to be more fun to watch. Never put any thing out there for the views. I have always hoped that something at some point would help someone figure something out. Unfortunately hard work alone doesn’t always do it, there needs to be some level of discovery involved. Here’s to hoping discovery comes quick in the process. Best, Jon
🇩🇪🎺👍
A-motherf*cking-MEN!
"No, it's not pretty! It's a range study!"
If you can't play a middle C the first time you pick up a trumpet then the trumpet is not for you. Range and other brass playing attributes are things you are born with regarding their potential. Or, don't believe and waste a lot of time figuring this out for yourself.
Will Moffett My friend, who has always been my role model when it comes to trumpet, and who can now play an Eb, two bars above the staff, testifies against this statement. Perhaps you mean the trumpet isn't for you in the professional sense? Because it would seem he is somewhat competent in terms of playing trumpet if he can hit a note like that. I'm not saying he's going to be a professional player or anything, what I'm saying is a general statement like that is always never applicable to all cases.
Of course I agree it is not always true. And really, I think the limiting factor, as far as natural ability, probably has to do more with articulation than range. Some people cannot seem to achieve clean tonguing no matter what they do. Furthermore, after thinking about it, I would change my cutoff to the g below middle C. Maybe if you can get a g out, right off, you can eventually produce a decent sound.
Still, the differences in natural ability to produce nice brass tone and articulation are pretty stark. If trumpet playing was limited to those who can produce a middle C or have a clean (if unfocused) sound right off, there would be a lot less frustration in the world.
I struggle with this statement I think that upon your first meeting with the instrument there should be no expectations or judgments. It should be no pressure and no boxes to check. Now after a year with instruction if there is little to no success fine cut bait and find another outlet. I did not play above a high C until I was a senior in high school and above a high G until I turned 25 What you see is not some product of natural gifts it is a product of relentless study. Best Jon
Great session on range studies. Thanks for sharing. Love your very sensible approach