Horntabs.net Logo
Tab Count:
Trumpet: 1218
Trombone: 336
Alto Sax: 236
Tenor Sax: 120
Baritone Sax: 16
Other horns: 4

Forum - Trumpet Talk - How I Blew Out My Chops - A True Story

Author Message
marty
Moderator
Posted: 2006-08-31 06:44 CEST
I've been playing the trumpet for about 7 years now, but only the last 2 or 3 have been serious. As I progressed I began to notice a lack of endurance, so I blasted session after session of longtones.

I played some concerts and I had a huge sound. Improv solos going up to B's and C's comfortably.

But there was evil lurking. My playing was too good to be true.

Then it hit me. One day I couldn't play a high C. What the fuck I said, how did this happen? I let my teacher know and the first thing he asked "Have you been balancing your loud and quiet playing?" What? You're supposed to play quiet too?

So now I'm spending hours doing decresendo-ing double octave scales, quiet lip slurs, decresendo longtones in the hopes of getting my old range (and more) back as fast as I can.

So please boys and girls, balance your loud with soft or you'll fuck your playing up.
Web Mail
SeverFire
User
Posted: 2006-09-01 06:54 CEST
Thanks for the info. I'm kind of the same story; I've been playing for about 8 years, with the last few taken a lot more seriously upon improving myself. I generally play loud/full when practicing at home, but I'll keep in mind to play soft as well.
Web Mail
Dizzy
User
Posted: 2006-09-04 08:05 CEST
Hey Marty,

Check out this book. Its called Casual Double High C and its based on the principles of playing very soft (ppp) to create a smaller appeture.

http://www.bobodneal.com/

It's not the most professional looking site on the net and it a little tricky to navigate but the info is there.

I havent bought this book yet but it's next on my list (along with Callet's TCE) but you might find this would help you out at this stage.

Hoping you get your chops back quickly and better than ever.
Web Mail
SeverFire
User
Posted: 2006-09-04 20:51 CEST
That's an interesting theory... I do find that if I want to hit high notes, I have to either play "balls to the wall", or very soft with little air (but very good support still).
Web Mail