trombone help!

[tromboneplayer]

I am a new tenor trombone player, but not new to music. I have just started playing the trombone for about a month and can hit anywhere between a low e (below the staff) to a high c (above the staff), however, this is my problem. I have to be able to go higher for my band. My higher register is awful, but I don't know how to improve it. I have tried lip slurs, but that only gives me a little bit of difference. Does anyone have an exercise that will give me improvements?

[jp_euph]

are you new to brass playing?

if so.... the range you have for a months playing is very good!

for high notes, you need..... Fast Air... and ..... a small appature (sorry my spelling is crap)

Air speed

- Think about your breathing.... breath low, dont lift your shoulders.
- Try blowing a piece of paper at arms length.... or against a wall.
- Try playing through a hymn and seeing how far you can get in 1 breath, and then keep trying to beet your personal best.

embouchure strength

- to be able to control a small appature, your embouchure needs to be struong and supple
- Lip flex are good - but use the air in the excersises not just the lips.
- Long notes are good
- lip buzzing is usefull but keep your throat open.
- holding a pencil, or straw between your lips is good to work the corners of the embouchure.


BUT, I would strongly recomend having some lessons. It is easy for me to sit here and tell you what i teach..... but there are so many situations where i would change things depending on the pupil...

everyone has a different set up... size of mouth, tongue, teeth, throat.

and everyone has a diferent approach.

so, without listenin to you, and seeing what you are doing it is difficult.

[tromboneplayer]

That helps. I am new to brass. I have siblings that play trombone so I pick up hints from them alot. I will try to get lessons. Thanks! By the way, are there any helpful hints on playing while marching, because my hand eye coordination is very bad.

[jp_euph]

the best advice on playing and marching ....... is let someone else do it!


I am crap at this too,

but seems to get better the more you do.

[ayrton1987]

I've been playing trombone for 3 years now -previously the tenor horn - and all i can say is practice.

What i've found out - as i am now on principal trombone is i have two mouthpieces - a standard king and a denis wick 4al

It my differ from what you do, but i use the king for tonal work because of the shape of the mouthpiece, and i use the wick for marches as it gives a nice crisp sound.

Experimenting with mouthpieces and breathing techniques will help.
but be sure to keep the mouthpieces the same diameter as it will ruin your embochure (sorry - never really l4earnt to spell that)

[jp_euph]

I am not sure different size mouthpieces are te answer......the mouthpiese is the most important bit of equiptment... you need to feel comfortable with it, and get on with it.....

but you need to be able to make different 'sounds' on it.

surely a good player could sound good on any set up.


air supply........ lips.....tongue....... (not particulaly in that order)