Improving high range (trombone content).

[DemiFrost]

So I got my seating audition piece/county band audition piece a few days ago...

It's "Symphonic Dance #3: 'Fiesta'" by Clifton Williams.
Don't know if scanning it will help.

Our audition consists of 50 points of the solo piece, 30 points of scales, and 20 points of sight reading. So for me, only the solo piece is a problem. I want to do well so I can get first chair in my sophomore year. :D

Other than dynamics and accents and style overall, the only problem for me is this one section totally on the border of my high range...

I transcribed it in Guitar Pro so accidentals aren't written properly...
http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/5721/symphonicdance6dh.png

Any tips on reaching that high A and keeping my G's consistent? As well as those tricky triplets and sixteenth note pickups...:mad:

[sunburstbasser]

This might sound cheesy, but say "ahh." Now, without moving any other part of your face, arch your tongue so that you are saying "eee." The trick is to apply this to your trombone playing, but arching your tongue is the key to playing high notes.

Make the apperture in your embouchure smaller, if you can. That can help to focus the air a bit.

Make sure you have a solid warmup before trying to play that high. A good warmup helps a lot!

USE YOUR AIR!

USE YOUR AIR!

USE YOUR AIR!

And last but not least

USE YOUR AIR!

[DemiFrost]

Hmm...I'll try reevaluating my embouchure while practicing tomorrow. Good thing I have a good three months of practice and summer music to help improve my playing until then! Still contemplating trying out for county band next year.

I tend to cheat few notes to get a good breath when I see notes that high. >_>

[jonathan_matos5]

my range was nowhere near that piece my sophomore year in highschool because i had braces and playing high caused my gums to bleed. however my junior year is another story i got them off and my range leaped into the stratosphere to the c above that a anyway but i had to work for it.
here is what i found to increase range and consistancy of the same high note

play a scale in eighth notes eight notes per scale step starting with the lowest pedal tone you can play in the scale and go up until you cant go any further. also play the notes as staccato as you can and as sunburstbasser said use you air put as much air as you can whe you play it you upper register to make the notes and more air if on bass t-bone

[sunburstbasser]

One trumpet study I do is to practice your attacks. Just play notes in your comfortable range with as much attack as you can control, then let it die after. I've heard trumpeters describe this as "laser beam" attacks sometimes.

Practice tongue slurring octaves, too.

[jonathan_matos5]

Originally posted by sunburstbasser
One trumpet study I do is to practice your attacks. Just play notes in your comfortable range with as much attack as you can control, then let it die after. I've heard trumpeters describe this as "laser beam" attacks sometimes.

Practice tongue slurring octaves, too.

what is this tongue slurring you speak of
oh yeah never mind i remember:thu:

[DemiFrost]

Originally posted by sunburstbasser
One trumpet study I do is to practice your attacks. Just play notes in your comfortable range with as much attack as you can control, then let it die after. I've heard trumpeters describe this as "laser beam" attacks sometimes.

Practice tongue slurring octaves, too.

So you basically accent the note as hard as you can then back off immediately?

I'll try the scale thing when I practice, haven't really needed to practice the stuff in summer music so far.

I still play a tenor trombone, but it's medium bore (.525)

[sunburstbasser]

Yea, thats basically the idea.

On the scales just try slurring your octaves, say G-G, A-A, B-B, etc. Maybe try chromatically? Try to do it with your tongue rather than your lips, and that'll get your tongue used to arching and raising the pitch.

[DemiFrost]

Alright, I tried some of the exercises you guys mentioned and it seems to be helping. :D

Haven't been able to practice since last Thursday due to my basement being occupied and having nowhere else to practice...

I worked on the scales for the audition a bit (G 2 octaves, Db, C, F chromatic 2 octaves) changing the style a bit each time, such as eighth notes instead of band rhythm, staccato, etc. I did the scale etudes in my old book. I did the accent thing for a bit, starting with F, then G briefly.

Then I went through the whole piece once and lo and behold, I could maintain the eighth note G line pretty well and even hit the A (although I was a bit sharp since G is in between positions and A is in a position as noted here (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Slidepos.gif) )

Then the second time I went through the piece, I was already fatigued and thus my range was compromised. :mad: So here I am, resting before returning to practice. Note to self, DON'T practice too much before the audition.

Difficult part for reference. (L to the end)
Sound clip (http://uploadfile.putfile.com/videos/18312401051.mp3)
http://img312.imageshack.us/img312/5548/symphonicdance1dn.jpg

[sunburstbasser]

Just keep practicing at it, and its perfectly OK to take a break!

BTW, thats gonna sound KILLER once you get it down.