For anyone struggling with range and endurance, watching this video and another one on “Range Study” he has is a must. You won’t find quick and easy fixes here, but the results are dramatic. Many years ago, several years into my playing and things going well, I was taught to play “open and relaxed,” and it destroyed my embouchure, as if I had somehow completely forgotten how to play. At the time, I looked everywhere for answers, and finding nothing effective, I eventually quit playing, feeling discouraged. Many (many) years later as a come-back player, Wayne taught me what he talks about here in my very first lesson, and playing firm/solid in the low register was absolutely transformational. After a few weeks, playing felt "normal" again. Definitely don’t follow your instinct to “save” your chops for only when you play high!
I should have commented sooner. It has been TRANSFORMATIONAL. After 3 years of working with other teachers after an embouchure change, I watched this video two months or so ago and immediately increased my range and endurance. I went from iffy F & G atop the staff to being able to hit C, D,E and even F. Those top notes aren't solid yet but with this method and Wayne's range building regimen, I now have hope and belief that they will be. I'm fortunate to live in Baltimore where I can take in person meetings with Wayne.
Thanks much for your insight. I am not a fan of free buzzing or mouthpiece buzzing but using it to test the firmness of corners is genius and truly immediately. I’m chasing a solid double g. It’s been elusive but I think this is going to help!
Thank you. That was a great introduction! I am a tenor Sax player that is delving into trumpet. Quite the learning curve on embouchure to hit the base notes!
I kept hitting "the wall," and Wayne helped me scrape my horrible embouchure into a reliable foundation that I can rely on for my playing any day of the year. Thank you, Wayne.
I have found this firming in my development, but teachers will rail against this, because it appears like tension. I am 60 and 11 months into learning, I have found that when first started a Mid C would make my eyes buldge out, now the same C is effortless, i am currently nearly at owning the high A, i know with my embouchure continuing to get stronger, this A will appear more effortless, and my high C will start out like tension but it is as you said firming. I stopped focusing or making high notes a end all goal and now focus on good intonation, response and a full sound within and below the staff, the high notes will reveal themselves with time...thanks for the vote of confidence and confirming...my path
Great seeing you again after so many years. I was your student back in the 1980's when I was at Johns Hopkins as a student. I remember you had me play a B flat scale and it came out easily. However, if I had to play high B flat, I would struggle to get the note. And I think you said that I should try to make that high B flat feel as easy as when I play it within the scale.
For anyone struggling with range and endurance, watching this video and another one on “Range Study” he has is a must. You won’t find quick and easy fixes here, but the results are dramatic. Many years ago, several years into my playing and things going well, I was taught to play “open and relaxed,” and it destroyed my embouchure, as if I had somehow completely forgotten how to play. At the time, I looked everywhere for answers, and finding nothing effective, I eventually quit playing, feeling discouraged. Many (many) years later as a come-back player, Wayne taught me what he talks about here in my very first lesson, and playing firm/solid in the low register was absolutely transformational. After a few weeks, playing felt "normal" again. Definitely don’t follow your instinct to “save” your chops for only when you play high!
I love this video and it was very useful to me, thank you for the very detail explaination!!!!!
I should have commented sooner. It has been TRANSFORMATIONAL. After 3 years of working with other teachers after an embouchure change, I watched this video two months or so ago and immediately increased my range and endurance. I went from iffy F & G atop the staff to being able to hit C, D,E and even F. Those top notes aren't solid yet but with this method and Wayne's range building regimen, I now have hope and belief that they will be. I'm fortunate to live in Baltimore where I can take in person meetings with Wayne.
Thanks much for your insight. I am not a fan of free buzzing or mouthpiece buzzing but using it to test the firmness of corners is genius and truly immediately. I’m chasing a solid double g. It’s been elusive but I think this is going to help!
Thank you. That was a great introduction! I am a tenor Sax player that is delving into trumpet. Quite the learning curve on embouchure to hit the base notes!
I kept hitting "the wall," and Wayne helped me scrape my horrible embouchure into a reliable foundation that I can rely on for my playing any day of the year. Thank you, Wayne.
I have found this firming in my development, but teachers will rail against this, because it appears like tension. I am 60 and 11 months into learning, I have found that when first started a Mid C would make my eyes buldge out, now the same C is effortless, i am currently nearly at owning the high A, i know with my embouchure continuing to get stronger, this A will appear more effortless, and my high C will start out like tension but it is as you said firming. I stopped focusing or making high notes a end all goal and now focus on good intonation, response and a full sound within and below the staff, the high notes will reveal themselves with time...thanks for the vote of confidence and confirming...my path
Great seeing you again after so many years. I was your student back in the 1980's when I was at Johns Hopkins as a student. I remember you had me play a B flat scale and it came out easily. However, if I had to play high B flat, I would struggle to get the note. And I think you said that I should try to make that high B flat feel as easy as when I play it within the scale.
Right on! This is excellent information.
chase fan?