So, it is my mouthpiece, right????

[BeRiGaN]

It can't be cuz I suck as a trumpeter!!!:rolleyes:
I do seem to have trouble with going from "G" to "C" without sounding like I can't keep a seal on my Mouthpiece...
Anyway, I was wondering about what the best overall mouthpieces are...I seem to recall someone talking about mouthpieces at the BN, and how some just seemed to use them as an excuse, but I do see trumpet players use ones that look quite different than stock ones....Winton for one has one that looks quite tapered(Whatever you think of him as a person, you cannot doubt his skill on the trumpet)
Any thoughts, comments, etc????
Thanks!

[HOT CAKES]

Hey Berigan,

Are you talking about between G and C in the staff? This sounds more like a possible embouchre problem. I used to have the same problem before I got myself a good trumpet teacher. When I explained this problem to him he told me to make sure I maintained the same air flow for a sustained G, and I did. Then, he said to slip my bottom lip out, or in other words, the bottom lip into the mouthpiece and POP, out came the C. But don't apply more air pressure to get there. The key is to do it with the same air flow and let the lips guide the air up to the desired note. I hope this helps and if not, who cares, lets keep talking about trumpets!!

Hey, what kind of horn do you have?

HOT CAKES

[BeRiGaN]

Hey Hot cakes, (SLAP!):o
Anyway,
I should mention, so I don't sound even more stupid than I normally do, that I just got the trumpet For Christmas, and haven't practiced nearly as much as I should! It is a Harmony Trumpet -And well, that's about all I know about it! I knew my Mom got it from that noted instrument outlet...JCPenney's! I finally decided to see what model it was, and the only thing they mentioned online besides the brand name, is that you could have it in several colors! So, in other words, this is not a top of the line trumpet, but it was the thought that counts...I would still just be talking about getting one if she hadn't gotten it for me....what do you have?
I imagine you are right in saying I have an embouchure problem...the Mel Bay book that came with the trumpet says to apply less pressure to hit a C...and that just just seems to mess me up...I just tried what you mentioned...It makes sense, but when I tried to slip my fat lower lip into the mouthpiece, I didn't have much luck....I will try it again tomorrow...Thanks for the advice! Do you still have a generic mouthpiece, or did you go with a different one????
Originally posted by HOT CAKES
Hey Berigan,

Are you talking about between G and C in the staff? This sounds more like a possible embouchre problem. I used to have the same problem before I got myself a good trumpet teacher. When I explained this problem to him he told me to make sure I maintained the same air flow for a sustained G, and I did. Then, he said to slip my bottom lip out, or in other words, the bottom lip into the mouthpiece and POP, out came the C. But don't apply more air pressure to get there. The key is to do it with the same air flow and let the lips guide the air up to the desired note. I hope this helps and if not, who cares, lets keep talking about trumpets!!

Hey, what kind of horn do you have?

HOT CAKES

[HOT CAKES]

How would you describe your embouchre? Do you tighten certain muscles? I ask because I had a bad embouchre before I met my trumpet teacher, and he correctly pointed me to a right embouchre. If you say the syllable POO two times and then on the third time, stop right before you say POO, and there's your embouchre.

As far as applying less pressure on the C, that sounds like a load of crap. I'd keep away from that Mel Bay book, in all seriosness. What's ultimately important in playing the trumpet is having a constant air flow that comes from the bottom of the lungs. I know you may already know this, but I wanna make sure I can help you out so that you can get to that note without a problem, so excuse my redundancy, if you, in fact, already know all this.

Keeping the air constant from the lungs is my biggest drawback. I tend to wanna blow, as if I was blowing out a candle, and this type of air is no good for trumpet playing.

Berrigan, let me know how things are going.

I have a Besson Meha trumpet and a student Bach Bundy model that holds its own.

[BeRiGaN]

Hotcakes, how would I describe my embouchre? Getting worse by the day! Isn't that weird? When I was just picking up the thing every 3,4 days, It seemed pretty solid. Now that I have played it several days in a row, I am sounding like crap. I am starting to get the lip roll thing, thanks! I have no trouble holding notes for 4 counts, or practicing going from G to C, it is playing complex songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb, that is throwing me! I was playing it better a week ago, than I am now...just don't get it. My valves keep sticking, even though I oil them almost every day! That sure ain't helping! May take a few days off, then try it again.....

[HOT CAKES]

Berigan,

This is normal. Your endurance isn't there. Taking some time off between practice days will, in fact, help your playing. I don't practice for two days some times and then when I pick it up, its as if I suddenly have tremendous chops, you know there's the C and look I'm going to hit the E above that, and ten minutes later as my embouchre starts going to hell, I'm struggling to get back to the C. It sure makes you appreciate hearing some our beloved jazz trumpeters hit those notes with ease and certainty, doesn't it?

Berigan, what type of warm up and practice routine do you have?

I can surely let you in on some exercises I do, if you'd like.

HOT CAKES

[BeRiGaN]

Originally posted by HOT CAKES
Berigan,

This is normal. Your endurance isn't there. Taking some time off between practice days will, in fact, help your playing. I don't practice for two days some times and then when I pick it up, its as if I suddenly have tremendous chops, you know there's the C and look I'm going to hit the E above that, and ten minutes later as my embouchre starts going to hell, I'm struggling to get back to the C. It sure makes you appreciate hearing some our beloved jazz trumpeters hit those notes with ease and certainty, doesn't it?

Berigan, what type of warm up and practice routine do you have?

I can surely let you in on some exercises I do, if you'd like.

HOT CAKES
Glad to hear it is normal! I feel like a chain smoker trying to play after 10-15 minutes, yet I don't feel any different, maybe a little tired, but not winded....Warm up???? Practice routine????
:o
It does make you respect pros even more.....