I love reading the comments by the young trumpet players. I was where you are. long ago, and your struggle is the same one I went through. I played in high school marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, and pep band. I played in drum & bugle corps, madrigal pageants, and small choral ensembles, and every imaginable setting. I struggled with range, like most trumpet players. Or at least I wanted to play higher than I could. Let's face it - there's nothing else in the musical world that compares to the sound of a strong lead trumpet player cranking out a scorching double-high C. In my senior year in high school, even a high F was a risky proposition. It was really frustrating. I had developed some bad habits and they were holding me back. The problem is that at that time there weren't many good teachers to pick from, so there was nobody to call me on my bad habits. We were on our own, for the most part. You might get lucky and have a band director that was a brass player, but that's about the most you could hope for. I moved on to other things, and didn't touch a trumpet for almost 30 years. But all the while, quietly the trumpet doodled away in the back of my mind. A couple years ago for whatever reason I found myself watching lots of trumpet technique TH-cam videos, and my curiosity started to get stoked. A year and a half ago, I hit the "Fuck It" button and bought a trumpet on eBay just like the one I played in high school. I had the muscle memory from all those years ago, plus the wisdom of guys like Barry - and Greg Spence of MysteryToMastery, and Larry Meregillano. I gave my embouchure and technique a drastic makover. It's been quite a ride, to say the least. Thus far I've mostly worked on tone production, keeping all the registers connected...and of course, range. I'm playing easy double-high C's routinely now, for 15-20 seconds one-handed and with lots of "sizzle." For once I feel that there's no limit on my range or endurance - something which in high school I considered to be "magic" or only attainable by a few "freaks." It's not magic. It's solid technique and hard work. If you want to improve, then listen, learn, play, and repeat. Be a sponge - learn everything you can from everyone you talk or listen to. Keep an open mind - some players' advice will resonate with you and be useful, and other advice won't make much sense. That's okay; every player is truly an instrument unto him/herself. Play nice...;-)
i cant imagine, if you were doing all these band related things you must have practiced your butt off, i only do jazz and marching and concert and im 15, i can play double c if im not tired and for maybe one play through a song, im practicing harder to get in all state and a another program for music. but i go to a small school, but theres a great trumpet player and a trombone player that was first chair in the georgia jazz ensemble they help me out tons and great job getting up to the double c! hope you decide to join some ensemble to play more music
i marched Colts D&B corps 2004 and 2005 who did you march with? i finished 13th both years never made it to finals... 2004 we played G bugles last corps to do so... i miss traditions
Lot's of "I'm 'X' years old and have been playing for 'Y' years/months and I can hit a 'Z', is that good?" comments here... Seriously guys, learning to play an instrument takes time. Don't expect to be a professional in a year. Also, what notes you can hit/can't hit doesn't make you good/bad. Being a good musician is not all about hitting high notes. I think it's good not to compare yourself to others all the time. Just be yourself. It doesn't matter how long you have been playing. Some people learn faster, some learn slower. There's always somebody better than you. It's not a competition. For some it takes a couple of years, for others it takes decades to get on the same level. It's a lot about how you practice. Some people "get it" on the first time, and for others it takes a lot longer - they may build bad habits and it takes even more time. So just be yourself. Don't compare yourself to others too much. You are what you are and there's nothing you can do about it. The only thing you can do is practice, and you will get better.
The part with "it's not about hitting high notes" is debatable. My school wind ensemble requires us students to be able to play comfortably around the high c - c above the staff, it's not an easy job at all, we are given a tune, and most of the time the tune is either an extremely difficult somewhat lower end tune, or a really high tune. It really does help to be able to play in the upper register
SPINACH Yes, of course. And I'm not saying being able to hit high notes isn't important. Many pieces have high notes in them so you need to be able to hit high notes to play those pieces. But my point was, hitting high notes is really not the definition of a good or a bad musician (at least in this context where people are just posting their range and asking if they are good based on it and the years they have been playing). And for some people it takes a lot longer than for others. People shouldn't compare themselves to others all the time. It's not a competition. There is no level you "should" be at after playing for X years. It depends on how much you practice and what you practice. People are different and for some it takes a lot longer than for others. But that's completely fine. As I said, it's not a competition. If in 5 years you get as good as somebody who's been playing for 15 years, it doesn't make you any better. You are as good as the guy who has been playing for 15 years - good for you. In the end how many years you have been playing means nothing. Nobody cares about that. They just want to hear you play well. If it sounds good, it is good. Of course you need some range to play music you want to play. But range isn't everything.
I have a big problem with my range. I've been playing for almost 8 years, and I still cannot play the high C. I don't know if it is because my lips are too big, if my embouchure not right, or if I'm not practicing enough. Everybody else in my high school band plays a hell of a lot better than me in terms of range, and I practice a lot (or at least I think so). All I want is to just play in the high register easily, but I still struggle to reach the top line F. The funny thing is, I actually don't have many problems when playing pedal tones. I can even play pedal G (octave below G below the staff) quite easily.
same here with the pedal tones, here's an idea: it might be your mouthpiece or trumpet. The instrument sometimes holds you back, but with enough practice, you can do a lot more than you're used to.
Learn to use air. Don't tighten lips or throat or anything. Then build you lip muscles and practice High notes middle notes and low notes every day and get a tuner (there are apps available) just practice that and after awhile it will work you need to use AIR
For me, it was the horn and the mouthpiece - in high school i had a early 70s holton collegiate with stock mouthpiece. That's all i ever knew. The G was difficult, the A elusive, and i could only occ get to a high c by going to a ridiculously unsupportable embouchure. Now i have picked trumpet up again (40 yrs) and have some old Holton Revs and a Getzen SDeluxe, have experimented with mouthpieces (and really like the Bach 7E ) and i can hit Cs and Ds with no problem, though i need to build stamina still, and relearn a lot of scales, etc. As others say here, it is really not about hitting the high notes, it's about building musicality - those notes will come as you progress. BUT DO EXPERIMENT with different horns and mouthpieces. Try the local music stores, or make a trip to a big city nearby and go for it...you'll be surprised.
+Thomas Curtner your trumpet isn't the excuse (yes there are higher quality ones, and higher number mouthpieces which are smaller make if easier to play high notes but it sacrificed tone) Learn to use air and playing any thing on the trumpet it a routine. Just breathe from your stomach not chest and use your top lip to blow the air threw the horn. Trust me guys this will help a lot. It takes 4 years to really learn how to play the trumpet (using air and having good tone and having a crazy big range) Look at some professional jazz players on TH-cam that tend to play high like double C's and stuff and using air and having a strong mouth not throat is the key.
My grandpa from Germany sent me a 100 year old trumpet book and for his birthday I'm going to play him a song from the book he sent me. This was a really big help because I couldn't hit the high d's in the BOOK. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
That just happens sometimes, we have days when high notes are really easy then the next day they're impossible. It's annoying but natural (unless you're seriously good ;) )
The comment section of this video XD Like kids do you even know what actual trumpet playing is. It's not about being that guy who screams douba g's it's about being a musician
Thank you for this, Barry. The low G check-in has become a staple of my practice routine. If at the end of an exercise I can't get a low C and a low G to speak clearly and without any raspy-ness, then I know I've used too much pressure or I need to take a break.
I've been playing for a little over a year now. I can get high c and now we're learning the f major scale and the high notes are so so difficult. I also have braces.
Thank you for posting this. I ,too, had the privilege of studying with Carmine (RIP) back in the early 80's. I remember his tiny office, in Manhattan, with all the file cabinets. He was a master. Kind of like "Yoda" for Trumpet players.
Blaise Bowman a video will NEVER help your range, get trumpet drill books, practice, practice, practice! Arpeggios, long notes, scales are valuable. I can tell you this for sure, once your range improves you'll then seek how to play higher notes in tune. Just take it one step at a time, playing trumpet isn't just about high notes.
@@pufflerate123 I am impressed. My D is always out of tune with my C double sharp. When I do that, I usually get into an argument with myself concerning the color of the number four.
I am currently working on getting up to high C consistently. I have been taking lessons since last February, and got high G in about 4 lessons, however, only 3 whole notes higher is giving me fits. The real frustrating thing is, I was blowing up a storm last week, high C down to B to B flat to G then back up again, and it sounded great! When my instructor came the next Wednesday, I was excited to show him what I did, and couldn't get high C to save my life! I was so embarrassed! It's real hard!!
"It's real hard!!" Story about that: I was practicing on a trail, way away from anyone, in Keystone, CO. OK, so I was having a very difficult time with the most demanding and highest lick of the lead part of Schumann's Konzertstück for four horns. Had to put together the quartet and play lead for Gail Williams' masterclass at the Summit Brass Festival that Summer - being the hired gun. Well, lo and behold, Gail passes me from behind as I am botching the ascending lick. I say, "Hi, Gail ... This lick is SO HARD!" She nods and continues walking down the trail in front of me ... About 50 feet further on, she turns and calls out to me, "Hey, Tommy! Don't play it so hard!" Lightbulb moment. I immediately reapproached the lick with the belief that it can be consistently nailed easily, if played in that manner. It worked! Never looked back, since. I play trumpet, now, and use the same approach. Let it be easy and you WILL find the easy way!!!
Great advice. I am a classical player and this is exactly how I prepare to play the piccolo pieces like the Michael Haydn Concerto...with the trippple high C. Thanks, Elliott Oppenheim, Trilllium Brass Trio
let's not forget that being a good lead player is a combination of presence (high notes included), fundamentals, awareness, and of course style. If you just focus on high notes, you become something musicians call a tool. Do not strive to be a tool.
I'm a fan of musicality, but in a specific range building exercise i don't think vibrato should be there as it can take away from the control and tone involved in sustaining these high notes, especially when reaching the maximum of your range. I feel like vibrato should be added after the note is comfortable
Reading the comment section, I see so much insecurity from the young trumpet players. You could become a real man even if you can't scream a double C at 13, you know ?
+alex Gonzalez and jesus man, he was just making a joke. Plus, he could be in my situation, I've been playing clarinet for about 6 years and am learning brass to be in DCI
I recently just switched from playing the clarinet of 4 years to trumpet and I've been practicing to the point to where i can hit the c above the staff but i just can't hold it for a long time
Well said Barry. It's not just about hitting the high note, it's about the phrasing and interpretation that makes a lead player exactly that, a leader in the band. I remember watching you play at Berklee back in '80-'81. The best player in the school aside from Makoto Ozone. Glad to see you still playing and teaching others.
the highest I can play up to right now is the double F lmao. I'm in Opelika marching band and there's a few parts throughout the show to where me and my friend have to play the double F. Once you hit it and know how to get there it's so fun to play tho lmao.
Barry is an amazing musician. We played jazz together in high school and he was always a few steps ahead of me with his knowledge and experience in music. I am happy that he has fame and fortune now. John Wright
Finally someone with some simply philosophy and common sense - so many snooty grad students telling to do 1000 things. Thanks for not over complicating . X
This is amazing. I've always wanted to play a double C, and with this method, it may be possible. I'm a sophomore in highschool now, and the highest note that I've been able to hit is a double A, and that was once on a good day. I think by my senior year, I'll be able to hit a high C. Thank you for this!
@@esteban_osman lmao, after I graduated college, I don’t play much. I was lead in my college’s jazz band and was pretty consistent with F’s and G’s, but I haven’t played in a few years now
8th grade been playin for a week and can barely hit an A (the one within the Staff) only played for a week or 2 hopefully I get better .. Going from sax to trumpet is us hard
You trained the side of your mouth. Train the middle, if you continue like this soon your lips will start to hurt and a whole mess. My teacher told me this because just like you i did the same thing.
appleipad1231 hmmm interesting. I'm having trouble hitting that note......obviously I assume you are talking about the double high G above the staff. I was almost considering a piccolo tpt mouthpiece (schlike 14a4a) to help with range improvement
I'm 13 school band and I switched from alto sax to trumpet and my teacher says I'm playing great for only playing the trumpet 2weeks now is that weird??
Guys you might all think you can play high notes but if it isn't in tune then it's not really the note. Download a tuner (there are tuner apps) and really see what notes you can play in tune. Use air to play not throat and it takes 4 years to really understand how to play the trumpet
@uubboy14 head over to w w w trumpetworkshop dot com and post in the forums there. i'll get barry to answer it. there's also a ton of lessons over there by barry and joe magnarelli.
i have a habit of playing to the side of my mouth and im trying to move to the middle... but when i play to the side i can play higher... what should I do ?
What people don't realise is this:- If you can hit anything higher than a G on top of the stave, you can also hit a high C. It is all the same harmonic with you mouth. You just use the valves to flatten it the appropriate amount. All valves make the trumpet longer and therefore produce a lower sound. So if you're hitting a high A or B you can hit a C just as easily. Your only restriction is your you thinking that "oh a C is too high for me"
Ok so im not the best screamer, im 16 playing in highschool marching band i can get to a double G but the tone is horrible, and it is really quiet, anyone know why and how to fix?
But I'm assuming you mean the middle C (the one on the staff). But for advice, I'd have to say to blow harder, tighten your embouchure, and bring your trumpet closer to your lips. It helps when I put pressure on my lips so maybe try that..?
Hey Luke, I'm in top band first chair and let me tell you something. Tightening your embouchure and pushing your trumpet into your lips won't work. If you tighten and push your lips won't be able to vibrate and nothing will come out. Keep your aperture (the middle of your lips) soft, but your corners firm. Practice moving your tongue up. This will speed up the air and faster air means higher notes. Good luck!
Nah, that's OK, it's only your first year! I had trouble hitting a g above the staff my third year! I can play a double g now and even scream, but I've been playing for 5 years. Don't worry about hitting high notes yet, you're still learning how to play it. You've probably never even heard of your embrochure before! Don't worry about hitting those notes until high school! You've still a loooonngg way to go!
Ha just practice ok trust me I've been playing trumpet for 1O months and I can hit the high a above the staff because I practice at least an hour each day
Everybody. I'm a college trumpet player, and I will tell you that high notes shouldn't be the only thing you practice all summer! It's a useful tool yes, but don't purge everything else just to practice it. That's NOT what you wanna do.
Try playing a low G every day you may get to 150 000 viewers !! :) ok sorry for this silly joke Plus I do personally get blocked on the high E just as you describe it so I'll try this method thank you It reminds me one of James Stamp's exercises
I've been playing the trumpet for 9(4 MC Warburton) years now, and I find that, along with slurs and reg range and technique exercises, playing the euph/trom (12C mouthpiece) really helps to not only increase my range, but also the strength of my embouchure. brass instruments are a mystery..
Ya the guy looks like a Gym Rat, but as an ex-Gym Rat I can relate to his ideas. But, I’d go farther tho… I suggest like in the gym, go past the shake-point; "sticking-point". Maybe go a third or fourth higher; past the shake-point (sticking-point). Why, well we need to understand if there are things we can do to play past our strength sticking-points. Things like different use of embouchure muscles, air/tongue, small mouthpiece position changes. These post-fatigue experiments are key to some major ahh-ha moments :) Why? At the gig, we will be asked to do exactly that; play past our strength sticking-points :) just some thoughts...
I saw doc severinsen's big band Live this year and he did not miss a note,,, but some great players remind me of a circus trapeze artist that often misses the quadruple back flip,, but they will try again next song,,
Trumpet Tip: To play high notes. Step 1: Look straight. Step 2: Make you lips small (like regular when you make it high). Step 3: Lower you trumpet at a angle (not to low). BTW if it doesn't work for you, SORRY!
I have been trying to increase my range starting two years ago. I have been able to reach an E over the staff on trumpet my freshman year of high school. I only go up a whole step every year. I really don't know what I did to increase my range. Then I tried this method and I got to a F over the staff in about a month. (I use a Bach 1-1/2 mouthpiece.)
it doesn't matter, as long as it feels right and you don't change the placement throughout pitches. And both of the lips should be in the mouthpiece close to equally for the best sound
Today while practicing my upper register I stopped and my upper lip felt soft and when I tried to play a regular 4th line d it wouldn't buzz what happened what do I do?
@ivanbura1 If the band leader is any good he'll look back to the wind players to see how much they have left. There's a reason the pianist is normally the band leader!
@kidn00b1 Its an old German way of writing. composers would write a B Natural as 'H', and B flat as 'B'. It's strange to use, and not often seen in modern music.
I was stuck at a high F for about a year and a half and I was beginning to get very very frustrated..... I've been doing this for about a week and a half and now I can play a very solid high G! Thank you soooo much :) maybe I'll be screaming by football season ;)
We didn't intend to start all this drama and crap but it needs to stop. And I'm stopping it right now. Me and my sister will no longer reply to YOU who thinks they know everything and likes to pester innocent people who try to enjoy playing their instrument. You're just a troller, so please, quit bothering people who are just trying to learn and become a better musician. Thank you and have a nice day.
Besides, its a friendly competition and they all know who is the best out of the group and they give out awards selected BY THEIR PEERS at the end of the school year. They try their hardest, and when their friends beat them out, it helps them take the initiative to get better. I don't know about you and your bands, but this works best for their group. And since I've been in that band, they have gotten SO much better, especially with the band director who's now been there for 6 years.
Also, she only said what she said because she always loses to her equal because of her chromatic scale. She got second over first because of one point less in her chromatic. ALSO, the school band in her high school consists of 30 kids. They can't afford to put people who try but can't play, in first chair because they won't be able to play it. that may not be fair, but it helps them strive their hardest to get better. It helps the band grow as a whole.
okay, first, we give our players PLENTY of warning. we give them 6-7 months for districts and then if you make that, you've already had the music to get to state so that makes 8-9 months for state. obviously you like to think you know everything, so i'm not going to sit here and argue with you. so leave me and my sister alone. Also, I'm in college to be a band director and I know what I want and what I think is fair, so stop pestering us.
I wish I could say it doesn't affect me. >.> but we live in the same house so... I was just tryin to help you. ^-^ I know Isaac and you are equal players and I know he always beats you out cause he plays a better chromatic scale. I just don't like how people on here act like they know everything. I'm in college to be a band director. Sorry, but I know what the hell I'm talking about. Do four years of college and THEN try telling me what I should excpect for my chair auditions and placements. -.-
Okay. Just so everyone will quit commenting on my comment, I KNOW you need more than just high notes to be first chair. It's just that every year I get second because of my chromatic scale. It doesn't have a range as large as the person I'm going up against. That's all. So quit having a cow over one comment on one video. Me practicing my high notes this summer should NOT affect you at all. End of story.
I love reading the comments by the young trumpet players. I was where you are. long ago, and your struggle is the same one I went through. I played in high school marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, and pep band. I played in drum & bugle corps, madrigal pageants, and small choral ensembles, and every imaginable setting.
I struggled with range, like most trumpet players. Or at least I wanted to play higher than I could. Let's face it - there's nothing else in the musical world that compares to the sound of a strong lead trumpet player cranking out a scorching double-high C. In my senior year in high school, even a high F was a risky proposition. It was really frustrating. I had developed some bad habits and they were holding me back. The problem is that at that time there weren't many good teachers to pick from, so there was nobody to call me on my bad habits. We were on our own, for the most part. You might get lucky and have a band director that was a brass player, but that's about the most you could hope for.
I moved on to other things, and didn't touch a trumpet for almost 30 years. But all the while, quietly the trumpet doodled away in the back of my mind. A couple years ago for whatever reason I found myself watching lots of trumpet technique TH-cam videos, and my curiosity started to get stoked.
A year and a half ago, I hit the "Fuck It" button and bought a trumpet on eBay just like the one I played in high school. I had the muscle memory from all those years ago, plus the wisdom of guys like Barry - and Greg Spence of MysteryToMastery, and Larry Meregillano. I gave my embouchure and technique a drastic makover. It's been quite a ride, to say the least. Thus far I've mostly worked on tone production, keeping all the registers connected...and of course, range. I'm playing easy double-high C's routinely now, for 15-20 seconds one-handed and with lots of "sizzle." For once I feel that there's no limit on my range or endurance - something which in high school I considered to be "magic" or only attainable by a few "freaks." It's not magic. It's solid technique and hard work.
If you want to improve, then listen, learn, play, and repeat. Be a sponge - learn everything you can from everyone you talk or listen to. Keep an open mind - some players' advice will resonate with you and be useful, and other advice won't make much sense. That's okay; every player is truly an instrument unto him/herself.
Play nice...;-)
Demont Washington what drum corp you marched in?
i cant imagine, if you were doing all these band related things you must have practiced your butt off, i only do jazz and marching and concert and im 15, i can play double c if im not tired and for maybe one play through a song, im practicing harder to get in all state and a another program for music. but i go to a small school, but theres a great trumpet player and a trombone player that was first chair in the georgia jazz ensemble they help me out tons
and great job getting up to the double c! hope you decide to join some ensemble to play more music
i marched Colts D&B corps 2004 and 2005 who did you march with? i finished 13th both years never made it to finals... 2004 we played G bugles last corps to do so... i miss traditions
Nice essay
Damn this guy put 5 paragraphs.
I am a 3 month old fetus and I have been playing for 10 years and I can hit a thousand note long fortississimo high triple c, is that good?
Mr. Leunamito no
well, i gotta work on it i guess
My youtube app won't let me leave the 'reply' screen without paying a comment; dots snobs else have this problem?
Play a quadruple high g
We are on the internet so this must be probably true.
Lot's of "I'm 'X' years old and have been playing for 'Y' years/months and I can hit a 'Z', is that good?" comments here...
Seriously guys, learning to play an instrument takes time. Don't expect to be a professional in a year. Also, what notes you can hit/can't hit doesn't make you good/bad. Being a good musician is not all about hitting high notes.
I think it's good not to compare yourself to others all the time. Just be yourself. It doesn't matter how long you have been playing. Some people learn faster, some learn slower. There's always somebody better than you. It's not a competition.
For some it takes a couple of years, for others it takes decades to get on the same level. It's a lot about how you practice. Some people "get it" on the first time, and for others it takes a lot longer - they may build bad habits and it takes even more time.
So just be yourself. Don't compare yourself to others too much. You are what you are and there's nothing you can do about it. The only thing you can do is practice, and you will get better.
The part with "it's not about hitting high notes" is debatable. My school wind ensemble requires us students to be able to play comfortably around the high c - c above the staff, it's not an easy job at all, we are given a tune, and most of the time the tune is either an extremely difficult somewhat lower end tune, or a really high tune. It really does help to be able to play in the upper register
SPINACH
Yes, of course. And I'm not saying being able to hit high notes isn't important. Many pieces have high notes in them so you need to be able to hit high notes to play those pieces. But my point was, hitting high notes is really not the definition of a good or a bad musician (at least in this context where people are just posting their range and asking if they are good based on it and the years they have been playing). And for some people it takes a lot longer than for others. People shouldn't compare themselves to others all the time. It's not a competition.
There is no level you "should" be at after playing for X years. It depends on how much you practice and what you practice. People are different and for some it takes a lot longer than for others. But that's completely fine. As I said, it's not a competition. If in 5 years you get as good as somebody who's been playing for 15 years, it doesn't make you any better. You are as good as the guy who has been playing for 15 years - good for you. In the end how many years you have been playing means nothing. Nobody cares about that. They just want to hear you play well. If it sounds good, it is good.
Of course you need some range to play music you want to play. But range isn't everything.
well ur wrong
well ur wrong
Crystalheart luk
Could you elaborate?
the 303 people who disliked can’t play above the staff
I NEED THIS, SCALES ARE DUE TOMORROW AND I CANNOT REACH THE HIGH G IN THE CHROMATIC SCALE
Your pfp is bad. Stop supporting things just because most the people around you do.
@@intercoursehandguns851 ...
I have a big problem with my range. I've been playing for almost 8 years, and I still cannot play the high C. I don't know if it is because my lips are too big, if my embouchure not right, or if I'm not practicing enough. Everybody else in my high school band plays a hell of a lot better than me in terms of range, and I practice a lot (or at least I think so). All I want is to just play in the high register easily, but I still struggle to reach the top line F.
The funny thing is, I actually don't have many problems when playing pedal tones. I can even play pedal G (octave below G below the staff) quite easily.
I have that same problem. I can hit the G above on a good day but past that it's nothing.
same here with the pedal tones, here's an idea: it might be your mouthpiece or trumpet. The instrument sometimes holds you back, but with enough practice, you can do a lot more than you're used to.
Learn to use air. Don't tighten lips or throat or anything. Then build you lip muscles and practice High notes middle notes and low notes every day and get a tuner (there are apps available) just practice that and after awhile it will work you need to use AIR
For me, it was the horn and the mouthpiece - in high school i had a early 70s holton collegiate with stock mouthpiece. That's all i ever knew. The G was difficult, the A elusive, and i could only occ get to a high c by going to a ridiculously unsupportable embouchure. Now i have picked trumpet up again (40 yrs) and have some old Holton Revs and a Getzen SDeluxe, have experimented with mouthpieces (and really like the Bach 7E ) and i can hit Cs and Ds with no problem, though i need to build stamina still, and relearn a lot of scales, etc. As others say here, it is really not about hitting the high notes, it's about building musicality - those notes will come as you progress. BUT DO EXPERIMENT with different horns and mouthpieces. Try the local music stores, or make a trip to a big city nearby and go for it...you'll be surprised.
+Thomas Curtner your trumpet isn't the excuse (yes there are higher quality ones, and higher number mouthpieces which are smaller make if easier to play high notes but it sacrificed tone) Learn to use air and playing any thing on the trumpet it a routine. Just breathe from your stomach not chest and use your top lip to blow the air threw the horn. Trust me guys this will help a lot. It takes 4 years to really learn how to play the trumpet (using air and having good tone and having a crazy big range) Look at some professional jazz players on TH-cam that tend to play high like double C's and stuff and using air and having a strong mouth not throat is the key.
Ive been playing for 2 months and I really want to work myself up to play higher! I know it takes so much time but ahhh I just wanna do it!
My grandpa from Germany sent me a 100 year old trumpet book and for his birthday I'm going to play him a song from the book he sent me. This was a really big help because I couldn't hit the high d's in the BOOK. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
That just happens sometimes, we have days when high notes are really easy then the next day they're impossible. It's annoying but natural (unless you're seriously good ;) )
The comment section of this video XD
Like kids do you even know what actual trumpet playing is. It's not about being that guy who screams douba g's it's about being a musician
Hey guys I am 4 years old and can play a quadruple high c with quadruple tonguing. Is that good?
haha noob im 1 and i learned how to do that 10 years ago
get on my level
+Stormieklol “Stormiebob” The Girl of Many Fandoms lol
The Monty Python is strong with this one.
The Dashing Troll The force is strong with this one
No! That's terrible!!
Sure fire way to to play high notes; Stand on a step ladder.
Thank you for this, Barry. The low G check-in has become a staple of my practice routine. If at the end of an exercise I can't get a low C and a low G to speak clearly and without any raspy-ness, then I know I've used too much pressure or I need to take a break.
I've been playing for a little over a year now. I can get high c and now we're learning the f major scale and the high notes are so so difficult. I also have braces.
Thank you for posting this. I ,too, had the privilege of studying with Carmine (RIP) back in the early 80's. I remember his tiny office, in Manhattan, with all the file cabinets. He was a master. Kind of like "Yoda" for Trumpet players.
9 years in and I finally figured it out. thanks for the wisdom and phat Double C.
Blaise Bowman a video will NEVER help your range, get trumpet drill books, practice, practice, practice! Arpeggios, long notes, scales are valuable. I can tell you this for sure, once your range improves you'll then seek how to play higher notes in tune. Just take it one step at a time, playing trumpet isn't just about high notes.
Holy crap i subbed to you a while ago
Noob, I learned in my first week
@@ddillon1022 r/woooosh
@@ddillon1022 yes
Hey, y'all. I've been playing for 17 years and can hit only play a D under the staff. Is this any good? It is the only note I know how to play.
dot dot du du du duu. dot dot du du du duu. There you go.
@@Bob-cy6rd Thank you. I've now extended my range from a D under the staff to a C double sharp under the staff.
@@pufflerate123 I am impressed. My D is always out of tune with my C double sharp. When I do that, I usually get into an argument with myself concerning the color of the number four.
I am currently working on getting up to high C consistently. I have been taking lessons since last February, and got high G in about 4 lessons, however, only 3 whole notes higher is giving me fits. The real frustrating thing is, I was blowing up a storm last week, high C down to B to B flat to G then back up again, and it sounded great! When my instructor came the next Wednesday, I was excited to show him what I did, and couldn't get high C to save my life! I was so embarrassed! It's real hard!!
"It's real hard!!" Story about that:
I was practicing on a trail, way away from anyone, in Keystone, CO. OK, so I was having a very difficult time with the most demanding and highest lick of the lead part of Schumann's Konzertstück for four horns. Had to put together the quartet and play lead for Gail Williams' masterclass at the Summit Brass Festival that Summer - being the hired gun.
Well, lo and behold, Gail passes me from behind as I am botching the ascending lick.
I say, "Hi, Gail ... This lick is SO HARD!" She nods and continues walking down the trail in front of me ...
About 50 feet further on, she turns and calls out to me, "Hey, Tommy! Don't play it so hard!"
Lightbulb moment.
I immediately reapproached the lick with the belief that it can be consistently nailed easily, if played in that manner.
It worked! Never looked back, since. I play trumpet, now, and use the same approach. Let it be easy and you WILL find the easy way!!!
I get so many mini migranes when playing high notes
Great advice. I am a classical player and this is exactly how I prepare to play the piccolo pieces like the Michael Haydn Concerto...with the trippple high C.
Thanks,
Elliott Oppenheim, Trilllium Brass Trio
let's not forget that being a good lead player is a combination of presence (high notes included), fundamentals, awareness, and of course style. If you just focus on high notes, you become something musicians call a tool. Do not strive to be a tool.
Scales scales scales scales scales scales scales scales
lol I'm 10 and can do a b c d e f g
you're so fucking funny
Now ur 15 years old
I'm a fan of musicality, but in a specific range building exercise i don't think vibrato should be there as it can take away from the control and tone involved in sustaining these high notes, especially when reaching the maximum of your range. I feel like vibrato should be added after the note is comfortable
You missed the point
Reading the comment section, I see so much insecurity from the young trumpet players. You could become a real man even if you can't scream a double C at 13, you know ?
This video was made 8 years ago!! Who else 2018?
It'll still be true in 3018
I come from the future.2019 here
Unless I'm mistaken, you played with Luis "Perico" Ortiz Latin Orchestra in the mid 1980s. You were outstanding!!!
Hi guys I'm a clarinet player, and I can play higher than all of you. Isn't talking trash fun?
Um... I could care less
And if your a clarinet player there is no reason to look at this video
At least the trumpet isn't the nerdiest nor most nasal sounding instrument in the band/orchestra
+Gage De Rosa Let the clarinets have fun squealing and buying new reeds every 2 weeks
+Gage De Rosa your right, the oboe is
+alex Gonzalez and jesus man, he was just making a joke. Plus, he could be in my situation, I've been playing clarinet for about 6 years and am learning brass to be in DCI
This summer, practicing high notes is going to be all I do. I'm gonna be first chair next year.
just blow air don't pinch
It's a lot more than that
its a lot more then just blowing air
Well that blows :(
I recently just switched from playing the clarinet of 4 years to trumpet and I've been practicing to the point to where i can hit the c above the staff but i just can't hold it for a long time
Long tones, all notes, played ppp, every day.
I like the simple approach with the weight lifter analogy. I also like the Louis Maggio idea of using the low note to re-anchor your chops.
I haven't even been born yet and ive been playing for 35 years im about to hit grade 40, am i good?
Well said Barry. It's not just about hitting the high note, it's about the phrasing and interpretation that makes a lead player exactly that, a leader in the band. I remember watching you play at Berklee back in '80-'81. The best player in the school aside from Makoto Ozone. Glad to see you still playing and teaching others.
I have to play the lead for the national anthem next month. This is going to end badly. I can play high notes but they're super quiet...
How'd it go?
?😁
the highest I can play up to right now is the double F lmao. I'm in Opelika marching band and there's a few parts throughout the show to where me and my friend have to play the double F. Once you hit it and know how to get there it's so fun to play tho lmao.
robster tha lobster the highest note I can play is G LOL I think I would be better at a low instrument like barritone
+VelociTy Hawk higher lmao
+Anna Padilla just play around and try different stuff man
robster tha lobst
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience Barry!
Barry is an amazing musician. We played jazz together in high school and he was always a few steps ahead of me with his knowledge and experience in music. I am happy that he has fame and fortune now. John Wright
I’m 13 and have been playing for 3 years and can play a g above the staff all I have to say practice practice practice
My first year on trumpet, and the highest I can get is the G right above the staff.
IncrediBrawl meanwhile I've been playing for three years and can barely hit above the D
2 years later since your comment....what can you play now?
3 yrs now do you still play?
First of all what mouth piece are you using, second have you played other instruments before trumpet, third teach me your ways
Finally someone with some simply philosophy and common sense - so many snooty grad students telling to do 1000 things. Thanks for not over complicating . X
geez I can't even hear what the heck the guy is saying and when he plays the trumpet its them way to loud !!!!!
exaggeration is on the loose
Over a million views now, yeah, Barry!! You rock! Miss you, friend! Stay well.
I’m about to dig in to these exercises, much needed now.
Do you even lift?
cool
3:19 if you wanna hear this guy play...
This is amazing. I've always wanted to play a double C, and with this method, it may be possible. I'm a sophomore in highschool now, and the highest note that I've been able to hit is a double A, and that was once on a good day. I think by my senior year, I'll be able to hit a high C. Thank you for this!
It's so amazing how the internet can show a snippet of the past. What's your range now 11 years later? 😂
@@esteban_osman lmao, after I graduated college, I don’t play much. I was lead in my college’s jazz band and was pretty consistent with F’s and G’s, but I haven’t played in a few years now
@@nicknorton95 woah that's sick cuz now I'm a sophomore in high school but a 4th trumpet in my jazz band. I'll get lead someday though!!
@@esteban_osman awesome, man! Keep at it and keep practicing. You’ll be there before you know it
im 2 minutes old and i can play higher note than the sound when you drop a spoon at 3 qam
I searched up Imagine Dragons Demons then I some how got here. This may help me with my trumpet
I need tips on getting high notes. It is really hard. My teacher says, "Tighten your corners" and "blow more air". But it is hard to do that.
Brenna Taylor same
I searched up cheerleader and got here :/
I WILL TRY THAT,THANK YOU BARRY.
Lol I'm screwed, have a audition on Tuesday and I can barely hit the second highest not of the song.
+Isaiah Campbell How did it go?
+MrFireblade67 actually pretty good he needs six trumpet players and only six tried out
+The Gaming Dead Best of luck!👊🏾👌🏾✌🏾
same
I know I'm late but what was the highest note? And did you get in?
high notes != how good you are.
Work on your tone, not your high notes.
8th grade been playin for a week and can barely hit an A (the one within the Staff) only played for a week or 2 hopefully I get better .. Going from sax to trumpet is us hard
Nice seeing you here...
I also went from playing saxophone to trumpet. I have been playing for two years now and can barely hit an f sharp on the staff.
At least you upgraded
I want to play the saxophone but I've never had the opportunity to :,) I only play the trumpet rip
Trolling Expert been three years.. how are you at trumpet now?
How about steroids? Bodybuilders use them and other atheletes.
I don't understand
Neither do I how the fuck do you position ur mouth n air
momo l2l jesus can you even play the instrument
You trained the side of your mouth. Train the middle, if you continue like this soon your lips will start to hurt and a whole mess. My teacher told me this because just like you i did the same thing.
Whats up with the vibes in the back?
But they complement the trumpet so well! :)
We all wanna toot our own horns
🎺🎹👍😀Basically some decent and relevant advice!🎺🎹👍😀
I'm a beginner and I need to play high A not c
Anna Padilla pfft. I need to play higher than an E above the staff.
Jonathan Hancock bruh that's nothing I have to play a g the one higher than your E
appleipad1231 hmmm interesting. I'm having trouble hitting that note......obviously I assume you are talking about the double high G above the staff. I was almost considering a piccolo tpt mouthpiece (schlike 14a4a) to help with range improvement
Jonathan Hancock if you're talking about just above the staff, you're mistaken. I'm talking about the one an octave higher
Hold the valves 1 and 2 (First two valves then blow a highish note) Trust me i have been playing trumpet for 8 years
I just started and I can play midle low an happy birthday IS THAT GOOD
I have a trumpet test in 2 weeks... GMEA... im screwed
Don't worry man, just try your best and you will do fine. Good luck :)
+Enigma Scientist How was it
+Niko Bellic it was decent. I don't know if I made the good band or not
literally me. but tbh i dont even practice
I finally looked this song up again ahead of time for the next test. I made it in ;)
I'm 13 school band and I switched from alto sax to trumpet and my teacher says I'm playing great for only playing the trumpet 2weeks now is that weird??
i can play high G and High F comfortably sometimes and i usually was able to hit high E easily but i can't anymore so I'll try this out
Howwwww dooo yoouuu hit high G!!!
+Nope Nopenopenope I'm in 7th grade and I hit the high G. Yes the one 4 lines above the staff
+The Peoples OG frz 😂😂😂
Guys you might all think you can play high notes but if it isn't in tune then it's not really the note. Download a tuner (there are tuner apps) and really see what notes you can play in tune. Use air to play not throat and it takes 4 years to really understand how to play the trumpet
+The Peoples OG so untrue
@uubboy14 head over to w w w trumpetworkshop dot com and post in the forums there. i'll get barry to answer it. there's also a ton of lessons over there by barry and joe magnarelli.
*looks at comments until video loads*
"Whoa sweet unibrow bruh"
i have a habit of playing to the side of my mouth and im trying to move to the middle... but when i play to the side i can play higher... what should I do ?
What people don't realise is this:- If you can hit anything higher than a G on top of the stave, you can also hit a high C. It is all the same harmonic with you mouth. You just use the valves to flatten it the appropriate amount.
All valves make the trumpet longer and therefore produce a lower sound. So if you're hitting a high A or B you can hit a C just as easily. Your only restriction is your you thinking that "oh a C is too high for me"
STILL TOO HARD.
I play the trumpet and I know the C,Bb,Eb,and F scale
DynamiteBOOMyt if it’s only one octave, that is extremely easy.
Great info. Every one has to listen to Victor Paz. Incredible lead trumpet with a lovely sound on high register. Amazing flexibility and musicality.
Don Victor was one of my heroes. I was very fortunate to sit next to him, in awe of his playing, many times.
RIP Victor Paz!❤
Ok so im not the best screamer, im 16 playing in highschool marching band i can get to a double G but the tone is horrible, and it is really quiet, anyone know why and how to fix?
Hey my dude I have the same exact problem have you fixed it yet? How did you do so if you did?
Easy tutorial:
Blow REALLY fast
Not like that ya pervs
I'm in 7th grade and in symphonic band, which is above average, but I can't get higher than a D any help.
The d above c
All Ds are above C...
But I'm assuming you mean the middle C (the one on the staff). But for advice, I'd have to say to blow harder, tighten your embouchure, and bring your trumpet closer to your lips. It helps when I put pressure on my lips so maybe try that..?
ok, thanks
Hey Luke, I'm in top band first chair and let me tell you something. Tightening your embouchure and pushing your trumpet into your lips won't work. If you tighten and push your lips won't be able to vibrate and nothing will come out. Keep your aperture (the middle of your lips) soft, but your corners firm. Practice moving your tongue up. This will speed up the air and faster air means higher notes. Good luck!
It cannot be said too often .... you have a fantastic sound Barry!
Im 12 but i strugle to hit high C on the stave but ive been playing for 8 months is that bad
no man just keep practicing trust me it works
Nah, that's OK, it's only your first year! I had trouble hitting a g above the staff my third year! I can play a double g now and even scream, but I've been playing for 5 years. Don't worry about hitting high notes yet, you're still learning how to play it. You've probably never even heard of your embrochure before! Don't worry about hitting those notes until high school! You've still a loooonngg way to go!
Ha just practice ok trust me I've been playing trumpet for 1O months and I can hit the high a above the staff because I practice at least an hour each day
Jordan Mercer So what ?
Thanks Speed Painteress
Everybody. I'm a college trumpet player, and I will tell you that high notes shouldn't be the only thing you practice all summer! It's a useful tool yes, but don't purge everything else just to practice it. That's NOT what you wanna do.
Try playing a low G every day you may get to 150 000 viewers !!
:)
ok sorry for this silly joke
Plus I do personally get blocked on the high E just as you describe it
so I'll try this method thank you
It reminds me one of James Stamp's exercises
I've been playing the trumpet for 9(4 MC Warburton) years now, and I find that, along with slurs and reg range and technique exercises, playing the euph/trom (12C mouthpiece) really helps to not only increase my range, but also the strength of my embouchure.
brass instruments are a mystery..
Ya the guy looks like a Gym Rat, but as an ex-Gym Rat I can relate to his ideas. But, I’d go farther tho… I suggest like in the gym, go past the shake-point; "sticking-point". Maybe go a third or fourth higher; past the shake-point (sticking-point). Why, well we need to understand if there are things we can do to play past our strength sticking-points.
Things like different use of embouchure muscles, air/tongue, small mouthpiece position changes. These post-fatigue experiments are key to some major ahh-ha moments :)
Why? At the gig, we will be asked to do exactly that; play past our strength sticking-points :)
just some thoughts...
I saw doc severinsen's big band Live this year and he did not miss a note,,, but some great players remind me of a circus trapeze artist that often misses the quadruple back flip,, but they will try again next song,,
Trumpet Tip: To play high notes. Step 1: Look straight. Step 2: Make you lips small (like regular when you make it high). Step 3: Lower you trumpet at a angle (not to low). BTW if it doesn't work for you, SORRY!
Gladiator trumpet - love the term! I call it stunt trumpet - high notes without musicality. Great stuff, Barry!
I have been trying to increase my range starting two years ago. I have been able to reach an E over the staff on trumpet my freshman year of high school. I only go up a whole step every year. I really don't know what I did to increase my range. Then I tried this method and I got to a F over the staff in about a month. (I use a Bach 1-1/2 mouthpiece.)
it doesn't matter, as long as it feels right and you don't change the placement throughout pitches. And both of the lips should be in the mouthpiece close to equally for the best sound
Today while practicing my upper register I stopped and my upper lip felt soft and when I tried to play a regular 4th line d it wouldn't buzz what happened what do I do?
@ivanbura1 If the band leader is any good he'll look back to the wind players to see how much they have left. There's a reason the pianist is normally the band leader!
@kidn00b1 Its an old German way of writing. composers would write a B Natural as 'H', and B flat as 'B'. It's strange to use, and not often seen in modern music.
Dear Barry,
We formed a brass band in your honour. Well, you and Welsh legend Barry Horne. Check out our channel.
Thanks Barry,
The Barry Horns
I'm 14 and can play an A above the ledger line!
I play on a 7c and is it harder to hit high notes on a lower level mouthpiece and harder to play lower notes on a higher level one?
I was stuck at a high F for about a year and a half and I was beginning to get very very frustrated..... I've been doing this for about a week and a half and now I can play a very solid high G! Thank you soooo much :) maybe I'll be screaming by football season ;)
I can play a high c but not a low g and f. wtf is wrong with me
Dude I thought like a few bars above the top line was the highest note.
Then I searched up the highest note
Great teaching, thanks for sharing :)
I could play those notes on trombone before watching this video. I guess I'm just that good...
if your lips are not familiar with where those notes are you're gonna have a bad time
We didn't intend to start all this drama and crap but it needs to stop. And I'm stopping it right now. Me and my sister will no longer reply to YOU who thinks they know everything and likes to pester innocent people who try to enjoy playing their instrument. You're just a troller, so please, quit bothering people who are just trying to learn and become a better musician. Thank you and have a nice day.
Besides, its a friendly competition and they all know who is the best out of the group and they give out awards selected BY THEIR PEERS at the end of the school year. They try their hardest, and when their friends beat them out, it helps them take the initiative to get better. I don't know about you and your bands, but this works best for their group. And since I've been in that band, they have gotten SO much better, especially with the band director who's now been there for 6 years.
Also, she only said what she said because she always loses to her equal because of her chromatic scale. She got second over first because of one point less in her chromatic. ALSO, the school band in her high school consists of 30 kids. They can't afford to put people who try but can't play, in first chair because they won't be able to play it. that may not be fair, but it helps them strive their hardest to get better. It helps the band grow as a whole.
okay, first, we give our players PLENTY of warning. we give them 6-7 months for districts and then if you make that, you've already had the music to get to state so that makes 8-9 months for state. obviously you like to think you know everything, so i'm not going to sit here and argue with you. so leave me and my sister alone. Also, I'm in college to be a band director and I know what I want and what I think is fair, so stop pestering us.
I wish I could say it doesn't affect me. >.> but we live in the same house so... I was just tryin to help you. ^-^ I know Isaac and you are equal players and I know he always beats you out cause he plays a better chromatic scale. I just don't like how people on here act like they know everything. I'm in college to be a band director. Sorry, but I know what the hell I'm talking about. Do four years of college and THEN try telling me what I should excpect for my chair auditions and placements. -.-
Okay. Just so everyone will quit commenting on my comment, I KNOW you need more than just high notes to be first chair. It's just that every year I get second because of my chromatic scale. It doesn't have a range as large as the person I'm going up against. That's all. So quit having a cow over one comment on one video. Me practicing my high notes this summer should NOT affect you at all. End of story.