Weird high note stuff

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PiccoloTrombonist1
Posts: 41
Joined: Jun 30, 2023

by PiccoloTrombonist1 »

I should preface this by saying that my highest note (that makes a normal sound) is C5. However, I can kind of “play” up to a Bb5, heavy emphasis on the kind of. The problem is that it just sounds weird, and lots of the time, my air will get caught in my cheeks, causing them to puff out (I know that this is bad, and as soon as I feel it coming I stop playing the note. I also generally don’t play these notes unless I’m exploring my upper range). Why is this? (Recording shows me playing Ab5 then Bb5)

<GOOGLEDRIVE id="1RZDVhCHSuu2ZDhqsSdQx2_gShIinCghL"><LINK_TEXT text="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZDVhC ... p=drivesdk">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZDVhCHSuu2ZDhqsSdQx2_gShIinCghL/view?usp=drivesdk</LINK_TEXT></GOOGLEDRIVE>

I will say that when I hold my cheeks shut with my hand, I do end up playing something that sounds more like a note, just with double buzz.
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Posaunus
Posts: 5018
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Posaunus »

Perhaps that Skype lesson with Doug Elliott could address this issue (and others). :idk:
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Olofson
Posts: 92
Joined: Apr 15, 2023

by Olofson »

Any trombone teacher will do.
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Nolankberk
Posts: 77
Joined: Sep 06, 2023

by Nolankberk »

Your low range will improve your high range
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norbie2018
Posts: 1051
Joined: Apr 05, 2018

by norbie2018 »

[quote="Nolankberk"]Your low range will improve your high range[/quote]
How? What precise exercises/approach can be offered that will help this person and others reading this thread?
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Nolankberk
Posts: 77
Joined: Sep 06, 2023

by Nolankberk »

[quote="norbie2018"]<QUOTE author="Nolankberk" post_id="228621" time="1703261214" user_id="17001">
Your low range will improve your high range[/quote]
How? What precise exercises/approach can be offered that will help this person and others reading this thread?
</QUOTE>

Sorry, phrased that wrong. He needs to work on the mid low register before he jumps to the high. He has previous posts here talking about struggles with making sound in the register below. Long tones in the mid register can never hurt.
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norbie2018
Posts: 1051
Joined: Apr 05, 2018

by norbie2018 »

:good:
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tbdana
Posts: 1928
Joined: Apr 08, 2023

by tbdana » (edited 2023-12-23 10:41 a.m.)

You might be closing down so hard you're cutting off the tonal vibrations.
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timothy42b
Posts: 1812
Joined: Mar 27, 2018

by timothy42b »

You're pinching your lips together to get a small aperture but it's not working. (distorts the shape) I think that tension might be the same reason you have the tone problem.

You know, the one Doug can probably fix in 15 minutes. And that just might fix your high range problem too.