This video is much clearer than previous one where the concept of help from teeth was presented. I’m not sure yet on how to manage and swap from normal attitude / embochure (that give me pleasure to use for low medium range notes) to move around on the mouth piece a bit and project to this stream of air. Having said this I’ve found almost immediately a position to get to high C and actually I could almost easily get to the E above it. Now I’m not sure how resilient I am and whether I can train some endurance if of this but very ver cool and rewarding. And I was really skeptical about it 😆. Thank you prof!
Thank you for your comment. The first video was simply to introduce the concept, and this, to offer more practical help. But this comment perfectly summarizes the process involved and the potential of MDAS and I hope it will be read by others: Discover high notes / develop low notes. With valves open, practise getting your high note by letting it find you. Huff your air and don't use your tongue. Then fall through the open harmonics while trying to hold the high note setting. It will force you to use your air pressure and mpc pressure to descend and avoid manipulating your aperture. Great to hear. Good luck! TP
I love that finally someone is working on the topic of embouchure. We as trumpeters are much too narrow in our approaches. I worked on Balanced Embouchure for a period of time and still do these excercises. And I discovered similar things through smileys book.
Over 25 years ago, my college trumpet professor talked about these strategies extensively as he was adjusting my embouchure. Experimentation is critical.
Hello Paul, So great to see and hear you as always. Since I've been in contact before I had major back surgery in December. I'm doing fantastic and of course, I couldn't play for 2-3 months but at least used my mouthpiece to do some exercises. These tips sure would have been great but at least I can work on them now. I've loved and saved every video you have done. Thank you for taking the time to put this one together as well. "Keep the music going"👍🏻🎺
Good evening Mr Mayes, I recently discovered you, (my music teacher recommended your videos, as I kept struggling with increasing my range) and you already helped me a lot! I committed to a slightly more downward angle while playing and my range has increased massively thanks to you! The only problem is that as soon as I start giving more power I need to reenforce with more mouthpiece pressure. The thing is I originally played and still play in Brass Bands in which, as you know, I have to play far more loudly than as a trumpet soloist. This means that I exhaust myself a lot in rehearsals even though at home(where I don't have to play near as loudly) I can go on practising for hours. I have already seen your straw and coin exercise which helps strengthening the muscles to give power using the belly muscles. Are there any other exercises on the horn itself to train yourselves using the belly for power/dynamic instead of mouthpiece pressure? Thanks a lot and have a great evening
That's great to hear. Mouthpiece pressure will increase but that's where TLR (top lip relaxed) becomes so important. As we try harder and use more effort we often react in the face. Try to stay as relaxed as you can and push/huff the air from your chest. TP
So impressed by this video, I listened to it twice. I've been playing trumpet for years and still struggle to hit a top C. I've now realised my position of the mouthpiece is not right to pick up the high volecity stream of air. So impressed...i might book a lesson.
I'm a saxplayer who just took up the trumpet. A saxplayer will naturally curl the lower lip inwards. That being said I couldn't make any headway with these exercises or the FFFF sound for MDAS as yet. Thanks alot.👍🏾
So many wonderful tips here. I think so much of this advice is overlooked when beginning students, regardless of age, are rushed into establishing a "standard embouchure", playing basic scales, learning some music theory, trying to build their embouchure strength, etc.. The first few weeks, or even months of a trumpet player's journey, should involve experimenting with these different tips and combinations to see which gives you the highest range with the least amount of effort or strain to get the notes out. The air jets you describe are something I have never heard of. Maynard Ferguson played dry lips and off to the side of his lips. He found his best jet there obviously. He also used a lip scowl as you described to establish his lip position into the mouthpiece. Jaw and teeth position can have a huge effect as well.
I’ve been waiting for this follow up video on how to discover my HFA position(s)! Also, your concept of “sighing through the trumpet”, and the exercises you shared, e.g., blowing through the sip straw while pinching it closed then open, was revolutionary for me. I discovered I’d been closing my throat AKA valsalva maneuver (I can hear when I do it while playing with ear muffs on). Thanks for sharing your wealth of experience with us!
Hello Trumpet Prof! As I am practicing this approach it seems I loose my old embouchure and with it my sound.. aiming for a nice warm airy jazz sound. my question would be if its possible to achieve the same colours as with an more traditionally tought embouchure and its just a matter of getting used to the new system? thanks in advance and thank you so much for sharing this knowledge here with us for free!
This is THE best way to play the trumpet. Like any "art" it takes time, but the benefits offered are greater than any other way of playing the trumpet. That's a big claim but it's not just about effortless high notes and unlimited endurance. Like I explained in the video, if you are using your lower lip/upper teeth to create frequency, the upper lip can remain relaxed. That's important because it allows you to perfectly synchronize with the instrument and be taken and controlled by its standing wave. The more relaxed your top lip (and face in general) the more resonant your default sound will be. That's where we start. With a perfectly resonant, bright and brilliant trumpet sound. From there you can use your upper lip to change the colour and timbre of the sound by using different areas of it to vibrate with the lower lip. Remember, you don't need it to control frequency/pitch so it's free to expand your spectrum and palette of tonal colours. There's no other system that allows for that freedom and flexibility. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Thank you for the detailed response! I went back to playing the way i did before for a couple a days and it sounded so much better but my endurance was very short lived. I am fully committed to your MDAS system now and it clicked! I have a rather big overbite and while trying around different positions i found out that blowing upwards (like you pointed out already) helped me free up the airstream and a high c came out of nowhere, effortless, loud and resonant like i never played it before! I will continue on this journey and looking forward to unlock the unlimited endurance:) Again thank you so much for sharing this with all of us! Gordon
I can play a double high c( six ledger spaces above the staff) and sometimes higher. I use one embouchure and I focus on tongue arch and powerful fast air stream. The notes are not pretty but they are full volume and real notes. I agree that it's not an embouchure strength thing but it takes control and finesse. I have used the Claude Gordon books for all of my range building. Would this approach help me play easier? Thanks for sharing!
Without seeing your teeth I can't say for certain but it is highly likely MDAS will help you play more efficiently. The high tongue still needs a small aperture. A powerful air stream needs a small aperture. A small aperture doesn't need anything. Thanks for the comment. TP
I'm a bad student. It seriously took me 2 months to get a decent sound out of my trombone in jr high... and they almost drummed me out (but in high school I was 1st chair). Anyways my trumpet range has now become the limiter as it's exactly what I need to progress on technical exercises anymore. I'm trying this full gusto; obviously has been taking me more than 5 minutes! But my question is if it's normal when learning to gum it up? I seriously couldn't even play my normal range after experimenting around with this technique. I'm sighing through the horn alright...
The 10 ways to unlock your HFA are based on general teeth shapes. Look for the air jets/channels. If you have one (or multiple), experiment with it using some of my suggestions. Think about the journey of the air through the gap and don't block it. You have to think several steps ahead (what will happen to the jet when I place the mpc? What will happen when I start to blow? etc). I have a website launching in a few months where you can access much more about MDAS but in the meantime keep experimenting. TP
This is going to sound like a dumb question, but how do you know when you’ve found an HFA? I assume it’ll take a while to learn to use it so it’ll likely be a subtle change to start with but how do you know when you’ve felt that subtle change? Second, is this something that might be easier to discover with just a mouthpiece or do you really need the whole horn?
That's not a stupid question! You'll know when you've found it. It will be obvious! Most students will say "I didn't do anything" (after playing high). It's not easier to discover on a mouthpiece but it is still possible. I advise students to discover it on the instrument but no harm carrying a mpc around with you while you experiment!
Yes it does, but most great high note players can play high on any mouthpiece. Focus on reducing your aperture to begin with. Your mouthpiece can help you play higher but it it's your technique that will give you consistency and endurance. TP
It seems to me that I control and change the distance between my lips with my lower jaw and this ways control the pitch. To switch to MDAS I would have to move my jaw further up generally, but after years of practice it is used to being lower down. how do I change that? Seems I should stop practicing for some month and start completely new then.
You don't need to keep your lower lip/teeth connected in the lower/mid range of the instrument and depending on your HFA, in the high register either. But if you want an efficient high register and all that comes with it you'll have to change something right? It's also possible to to play the way you do and work with another set-up in your practice. TP
The tongue should be kept away from the HFA/front teeth while you work with this technique. Then don't worry about it too much. Make sure you're not hissing the air because you'll reduce the effectiveness of any natural gaps or jets you have. TP
You only use one embouchure. The aperture changes size as you move through different registers and there are several ways to do this, but with practice you can easily play three octaves on one setting. TP
All very nice in theory, But how about "instantly" transforming a beginner-student into a high-note player while we watch? Seems like it's all imagery and imagination, just like "raising the tongue" or other ideas for developing range.
That's what I did at 10:53. Imagery is important. Great pedagogues know It can speak a thousand words. Mental experiments sort of require imagination. I agree raising the tongue is not the high note answer. High tongue needs a small aperture. A small aperture does not need a high tongue, or anything else. I've provided more "evidence" than I've seen in any high note tutorial video. . . . .at least you got it for free.
@@TheTrumpetProfwow so sorry I didn’t see your great real- life examples! I humbly ask you to adopt me so I can start over on trumpet….at 71 is it too late?
@@TheTrumpetProf thanks for the encouragement! You are literally the only teacher to show actual results with young students using your method. I definitely plan to do remote lessons with you in the near future!
This video is much clearer than previous one where the concept of help from teeth was presented. I’m not sure yet on how to manage and swap from normal attitude / embochure (that give me pleasure to use for low medium range notes) to move around on the mouth piece a bit and project to this stream of air. Having said this I’ve found almost immediately a position to get to high C and actually I could almost easily get to the E above it. Now I’m not sure how resilient I am and whether I can train some endurance if of this but very ver cool and rewarding. And I was really skeptical about it 😆. Thank you prof!
Thank you for your comment. The first video was simply to introduce the concept, and this, to offer more practical help.
But this comment perfectly summarizes the process involved and the potential of MDAS and I hope it will be read by others: Discover high notes / develop low notes.
With valves open, practise getting your high note by letting it find you. Huff your air and don't use your tongue. Then fall through the open harmonics while trying to hold the high note setting. It will force you to use your air pressure and mpc pressure to descend and avoid manipulating your aperture. Great to hear. Good luck! TP
Had a few lessons with him last year, he’s the real deal.
I love that finally someone is working on the topic of embouchure. We as trumpeters are much too narrow in our approaches. I worked on Balanced Embouchure for a period of time and still do these excercises. And I discovered similar things through smileys book.
Thank you. I also like many things in his approach. TP
Over 25 years ago, my college trumpet professor talked about these strategies extensively as he was adjusting my embouchure. Experimentation is critical.
Hello Paul,
So great to see and hear you as always. Since I've been in contact before I had major back surgery in December. I'm doing fantastic and of course, I couldn't play for 2-3 months but at least used my mouthpiece to do some exercises. These tips sure would have been great but at least I can work on them now. I've loved and saved every video you have done.
Thank you for taking the time to put this one together as well. "Keep the music going"👍🏻🎺
Thank you David. I also had major back surgery several years ago so take your time! And good luck with your playing as always. All best, Paul.
Definitely going to experiment with these! Thanks!
Even 10% help from the teeth, it's worth it! Good luck. TP
Those are very helpful approaches! Thank you! 🎺👍
Good evening Mr Mayes,
I recently discovered you, (my music teacher recommended your videos, as I kept struggling with increasing my range) and you already helped me a lot! I committed to a slightly more downward angle while playing and my range has increased massively thanks to you! The only problem is that as soon as I start giving more power I need to reenforce with more mouthpiece pressure. The thing is I originally played and still play in Brass Bands in which, as you know, I have to play far more loudly than as a trumpet soloist. This means that I exhaust myself a lot in rehearsals even though at home(where I don't have to play near as loudly) I can go on practising for hours. I have already seen your straw and coin exercise which helps strengthening the muscles to give power using the belly muscles. Are there any other exercises on the horn itself to train yourselves using the belly for power/dynamic instead of mouthpiece pressure?
Thanks a lot and have a great evening
That's great to hear. Mouthpiece pressure will increase but that's where TLR (top lip relaxed) becomes so important. As we try harder and use more effort we often react in the face. Try to stay as relaxed as you can and push/huff the air from your chest. TP
So impressed by this video, I listened to it twice. I've been playing trumpet for years and still struggle to hit a top C. I've now realised my position of the mouthpiece is not right to pick up the high volecity stream of air. So impressed...i might book a lesson.
Thanks Kevin much appreciated. Email me if you decide to take that lesson. TP
I'm a saxplayer who just took up the trumpet.
A saxplayer will naturally curl the lower lip inwards.
That being said I couldn't make any headway with these exercises or the FFFF sound for MDAS as yet.
Thanks alot.👍🏾
They are merely suggestions based on the most common teeth types and configurations. Try to work them around any HFA's you have. Experiment! TP
So many wonderful tips here. I think so much of this advice is overlooked when beginning students, regardless of age, are rushed into establishing a "standard embouchure", playing basic scales, learning some music theory, trying to build their embouchure strength, etc.. The first few weeks, or even months of a trumpet player's journey, should involve experimenting with these different tips and combinations to see which gives you the highest range with the least amount of effort or strain to get the notes out. The air jets you describe are something I have never heard of. Maynard Ferguson played dry lips and off to the side of his lips. He found his best jet there obviously. He also used a lip scowl as you described to establish his lip position into the mouthpiece. Jaw and teeth position can have a huge effect as well.
Thank you. I totally agree. We definitely need a new approach in the way we teach young players. TP
I’ve been waiting for this follow up video on how to discover my HFA position(s)! Also, your concept of “sighing through the trumpet”, and the exercises you shared, e.g., blowing through the sip straw while pinching it closed then open, was revolutionary for me. I discovered I’d been closing my throat AKA valsalva maneuver (I can hear when I do it while playing with ear muffs on). Thanks for sharing your wealth of experience with us!
Thanks for your comment. Lots more help on the way very soon! TP
Inspiring! Thanks Prof.
As with your previous videos, this is fantastic. Thank you, Paul. Just emailed!
👏👏👏show de bola! greetings from Brazil!
Hello Trumpet Prof! As I am practicing this approach it seems I loose my old embouchure and with it my sound.. aiming for a nice warm airy jazz sound. my question would be if its possible to achieve the same colours as with an more traditionally tought embouchure and its just a matter of getting used to the new system? thanks in advance and thank you so much for sharing this knowledge here with us for free!
This is THE best way to play the trumpet. Like any "art" it takes time, but the benefits offered are greater than any other way of playing the trumpet. That's a big claim but it's not just about effortless high notes and unlimited endurance. Like I explained in the video, if you are using your lower lip/upper teeth to create frequency, the upper lip can remain relaxed. That's important because it allows you to perfectly synchronize with the instrument and be taken and controlled by its standing wave. The more relaxed your top lip (and face in general) the more resonant your default sound will be. That's where we start. With a perfectly resonant, bright and brilliant trumpet sound. From there you can use your upper lip to change the colour and timbre of the sound by using different areas of it to vibrate with the lower lip. Remember, you don't need it to control frequency/pitch so it's free to expand your spectrum and palette of tonal colours. There's no other system that allows for that freedom and flexibility. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Thank you for the detailed response! I went back to playing the way i did before for a couple a days and it sounded so much better but my endurance was very short lived. I am fully committed to your MDAS system now and it clicked! I have a rather big overbite and while trying around different positions i found out that blowing upwards (like you pointed out already) helped me free up the airstream and a high c came out of nowhere, effortless, loud and resonant like i never played it before! I will continue on this journey and looking forward to unlock the unlimited endurance:) Again thank you so much for sharing this with all of us!
Gordon
I can play a double high c( six ledger spaces above the staff) and sometimes higher. I use one embouchure and I focus on tongue arch and powerful fast air stream. The notes are not pretty but they are full volume and real notes. I agree that it's not an embouchure strength thing but it takes control and finesse. I have used the Claude Gordon books for all of my range building. Would this approach help me play easier? Thanks for sharing!
Without seeing your teeth I can't say for certain but it is highly likely MDAS will help you play more efficiently. The high tongue still needs a small aperture. A powerful air stream needs a small aperture. A small aperture doesn't need anything. Thanks for the comment. TP
Parabéns pelo Dom que Deus te deu!
Thank you. And yes, thank God for my teeth! TP
You're amazing 👏 💖
No. You are! TP
I'm a bad student. It seriously took me 2 months to get a decent sound out of my trombone in jr high... and they almost drummed me out (but in high school I was 1st chair). Anyways my trumpet range has now become the limiter as it's exactly what I need to progress on technical exercises anymore. I'm trying this full gusto; obviously has been taking me more than 5 minutes! But my question is if it's normal when learning to gum it up? I seriously couldn't even play my normal range after experimenting around with this technique. I'm sighing through the horn alright...
The 10 ways to unlock your HFA are based on general teeth shapes. Look for the air jets/channels. If you have one (or multiple), experiment with it using some of my suggestions.
Think about the journey of the air through the gap and don't block it. You have to think several steps ahead (what will happen to the jet when I place the mpc? What will happen when I start to blow? etc). I have a website launching in a few months where you can access much more about MDAS but in the meantime keep experimenting. TP
PROF !!! Reached easy the D6 !!!! Thanks alot !!!! (have made a video to prove it, if necessary )
Great news!! Thanks for letting me know. Keep going! TP
This is going to sound like a dumb question, but how do you know when you’ve found an HFA? I assume it’ll take a while to learn to use it so it’ll likely be a subtle change to start with but how do you know when you’ve felt that subtle change? Second, is this something that might be easier to discover with just a mouthpiece or do you really need the whole horn?
That's not a stupid question! You'll know when you've found it. It will be obvious! Most students will say "I didn't do anything" (after playing high).
It's not easier to discover on a mouthpiece but it is still possible. I advise students to discover it on the instrument but no harm carrying a mpc around with you while you experiment!
Couldn't agree more!!!
does my mouth piece size and depth matter, I'm in 8th grade and trying to get a better sound and play a lot higher
Yes it does, but most great high note players can play high on any mouthpiece. Focus on reducing your aperture to begin with. Your mouthpiece can help you play higher but it it's your technique that will give you consistency and endurance. TP
It seems to me that I control and change the distance between my lips with my lower jaw and this ways control the pitch. To switch to MDAS I would have to move my jaw further up generally, but after years of practice it is used to being lower down. how do I change that? Seems I should stop practicing for some month and start completely new then.
You don't need to keep your lower lip/teeth connected in the lower/mid range of the instrument and depending on your HFA, in the high register either. But if you want an efficient high register and all that comes with it you'll have to change something right?
It's also possible to to play the way you do and work with another set-up in your practice. TP
Where should be tongue be placed? I'm not sure if my tounge is diturbing my mdas embochure.
The tongue should be kept away from the HFA/front teeth while you work with this technique. Then don't worry about it too much. Make sure you're not hissing the air because you'll reduce the effectiveness of any natural gaps or jets you have. TP
Still possible to do on wet chops?
Yes. Absolutely.
Okay sir but in playing music say a fast classical piece would'nt you have to change you embochure set up fast in order to make the higher notes.
You only use one embouchure. The aperture changes size as you move through different registers and there are several ways to do this, but with practice you can easily play three octaves on one setting. TP
@@TheTrumpetProfI see I understand now aperture changes of course.
I need some lessons! I just emailed you
All very nice in theory, But how about "instantly" transforming a beginner-student into a high-note player while we watch? Seems like it's all imagery and imagination, just like "raising the tongue" or other ideas for developing range.
That's what I did at 10:53.
Imagery is important. Great pedagogues know It can speak a thousand words.
Mental experiments sort of require imagination.
I agree raising the tongue is not the high note answer. High tongue needs a small aperture. A small aperture does not need a high tongue, or anything else.
I've provided more "evidence" than I've seen in any high note tutorial video.
. . . .at least you got it for free.
@@TheTrumpetProfwow so sorry I didn’t see your great real- life examples! I humbly ask you to adopt me so I can start over on trumpet….at 71 is it too late?
@@RonaldoWoke-No-MoreBand-y5m That's 20 years younger than my oldest student!
@@TheTrumpetProf thanks for the encouragement! You are literally the only teacher to show actual results with young students using your method. I definitely plan to do remote lessons with you in the near future!
@@RonaldoWoke-No-MoreBand-y5m Look forward to seeing you.
hello
Interesting, but how about the thong?
Gap teeth 😬?