I really listened to your video and I agree with you when you said that learning how to play notes on a trumpet is not really something that can be explained. I started playing trumpet in early July, 2024. I can sometimes hit the G above the staff but it's very hard. I already know how to read music and I can sight sing as well. I studied music because I wanted to sing in an advanced choir. Unfortunately, the choir director didn't take me seriously and put me in a box. One day I had this urge to buy trumpet. I figured that if I knew how to play an instrument, then I would be taken more seriously in the choir at church. I have to say that playing the trumpet was the best decision that I ever made because it improved my singing voice by improving my breath support. Building my range is going to take time. At the moment the highest note that I can play comfortably is the F at the top of the staff. I make certain to practice every day and I also take trumpet lessons as well. Trumpet is an extremely challenging instrument but I really love playing the trumpet. I haven't told the choir director that I am learning to play the trumpet because I don't feel comfortable doing that until I can impress him. I figure by 2026 I will be ready so long as I pratice every day. BTW, I played the French horn in high school but that was over 40 years ago. Trumpet is a bit harder than French Horn as far as hitting the notes go. Thank you for your video.
Happy Thanksgiving 2024 Bobby! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your videos because they speak more to non-screamer trumpet players like me. I do mostly band and Symphony Orchestra and your Flexercises book along with my other studies is fantastic. Finally, as a 63 year-old comeback player after 40 years it’s been a joy to listen to you. Harold H.
Thank you for your videos Bobby, I really like your style. The problem I have is a subtle change in embouchure at about F/F#/G on the top of the staff. Above those notes I use a slightly more rolled in top lip which gives me a tighter aperture which I can use to produce the higher notes. The characteristic of notes played in that way is 'slippery' in that it doesn't take much for them to stop producing or slip to another note. Below those notes it seems to be less rolled in and the notes are much more locked in, secure and richer sounding. As I go higher with this lower embouchure the tendency is for there to be a little more gradual pressure from the mouthpiece and then I get to the point when I need to transition to 'more rolled in' but then I can't overcome the pressure to move the top lip out in order to roll it in. Lol, hard to explain. Currently I'm trying to extend the higher note method down into the lower range and often remind myself while playing not to let the lips (muscles around the lips) flatten out too much even though it feels more comfortable. I don't know if this is an experience that you recognise during your development.
I might need one of those books Bobby. Sounds like a good addition to Flexus. I always need new exercises to stop it becoming too mind-numbingly boring.
@@RidgewoodSchoolofMusic Great. I've been using the mixolydian exercise from part 4 that you used in the video and it's just right for what I need and is a bit more musical than flexus because of the extra partials. I like it.
Impressive video, Ridgewood School of Music. Looking forward to your next upload! I smashed the thumbs up button on your content. Keep up the fantastic work! Your insights on building range through muscle development are spot on. Have you considered discussing how different breathing techniques can further enhance endurance for trumpet players?
Thanks! I discussed the importance of breath support in my last two endurance videos, but I'll think about putting together a video focusing on breathing techniques specifically.
Be patient, be consistent, and do what I'm telling you to do, and I bet you'll be knocking out high D's before you know it. Just remember that it's a process you really can't rush, but it's an attainable goal with diligence and consistency. Good luck!
There's a lot of talk about how to increasing range in the upper register, but I'm having an equally hard time playing BELOW the staff. I can't seem to consistently play a low Gb with out totally changing my embouchure. That of course makes flexibility exercises going below the staff impossible to play. What can I do to fix this?
HI I follow Brian also and find his paly a long videos very useful Im wondering if you done a deal with your audience what you sell 200 copies of your book you will do a couple of play along videos on some of those exercises for us part timers, learnings and wannbe students 🙂Tks for the upload ..
I've been thinking of doing some more demonstration videos or creating audio files to accompany the book, but I haven't had time yet. I'll work on it. Thanks!
If you switch to smoking meth it should solve all of your other problems until your teeth fall out. Otherwise I'd recommend setting aside a realistic amount of time every day, perhaps first thing in the morning, to force yourself to follow a regular practice routine. If you try to overdo it, you might get discouraged, but if you set attainable daily goals, you might find that once you get started you have fun with it. We're all lazy to some degree, it's just a matter of somehow getting yourself to start the work in spite of your laziness. Ambition helps. Good luck! Also, just kidding, don't smoke meth.
Dude you make the best trumpet videos 🙏
Thanks!
I really listened to your video and I agree with you when you said that learning how to play notes on a trumpet is not really something that can be explained. I started playing trumpet in early July, 2024. I can sometimes hit the G above the staff but it's very hard. I already know how to read music and I can sight sing as well. I studied music because I wanted to sing in an advanced choir. Unfortunately, the choir director didn't take me seriously and put me in a box. One day I had this urge to buy trumpet. I figured that if I knew how to play an instrument, then I would be taken more seriously in the choir at church. I have to say that playing the trumpet was the best decision that I ever made because it improved my singing voice by improving my breath support. Building my range is going to take time. At the moment the highest note that I can play comfortably is the F at the top of the staff. I make certain to practice every day and I also take trumpet lessons as well. Trumpet is an extremely challenging instrument but I really love playing the trumpet. I haven't told the choir director that I am learning to play the trumpet because I don't feel comfortable doing that until I can impress him. I figure by 2026 I will be ready so long as I pratice every day.
BTW, I played the French horn in high school but that was over 40 years ago. Trumpet is a bit harder than French Horn as far as hitting the notes go.
Thank you for your video.
Happy Thanksgiving 2024 Bobby! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your videos because they speak more to non-screamer trumpet players like me. I do mostly band and Symphony Orchestra and your Flexercises book along with my other studies is fantastic. Finally, as a 63 year-old comeback player after 40 years it’s been a joy to listen to you. Harold H.
Thanks, Harold! Happy to hear you've been enjoying the book! Congrats on picking up the trumpet again, and best of luck with your music!
Thanks. Very interesting. Always looking for ways to improve range and tone.
Thank you for your videos Bobby, I really like your style. The problem I have is a subtle change in embouchure at about F/F#/G on the top of the staff. Above those notes I use a slightly more rolled in top lip which gives me a tighter aperture which I can use to produce the higher notes. The characteristic of notes played in that way is 'slippery' in that it doesn't take much for them to stop producing or slip to another note. Below those notes it seems to be less rolled in and the notes are much more locked in, secure and richer sounding. As I go higher with this lower embouchure the tendency is for there to be a little more gradual pressure from the mouthpiece and then I get to the point when I need to transition to 'more rolled in' but then I can't overcome the pressure to move the top lip out in order to roll it in. Lol, hard to explain. Currently I'm trying to extend the higher note method down into the lower range and often remind myself while playing not to let the lips (muscles around the lips) flatten out too much even though it feels more comfortable. I don't know if this is an experience that you recognise during your development.
Great video!
I might need one of those books Bobby. Sounds like a good addition to Flexus. I always need new exercises to stop it becoming too mind-numbingly boring.
It's on the way, Jon! I wrote these exercises in part to combat my own boredom, and I'm hoping you'll find they do the same for you.
@@RidgewoodSchoolofMusic Great. I've been using the mixolydian exercise from part 4 that you used in the video and it's just right for what I need and is a bit more musical than flexus because of the extra partials. I like it.
Impressive video, Ridgewood School of Music. Looking forward to your next upload! I smashed the thumbs up button on your content. Keep up the fantastic work! Your insights on building range through muscle development are spot on. Have you considered discussing how different breathing techniques can further enhance endurance for trumpet players?
Thanks! I discussed the importance of breath support in my last two endurance videos, but I'll think about putting together a video focusing on breathing techniques specifically.
My current highest note on the Bb Trumpet is G5 (Written Pitch) and the songs I want to play require me to reach notes as high as D6
Be patient, be consistent, and do what I'm telling you to do, and I bet you'll be knocking out high D's before you know it. Just remember that it's a process you really can't rush, but it's an attainable goal with diligence and consistency. Good luck!
@ thanks, I’ll keep working hard in order to fully master the trumpet, and then master other instruments as well.
thank u so much, will def buy the PDF soon (live in EU)
There's a lot of talk about how to increasing range in the upper register, but I'm having an equally hard time playing BELOW the staff. I can't seem to consistently play a low Gb with out totally changing my embouchure. That of course makes flexibility exercises going below the staff impossible to play. What can I do to fix this?
HI I follow Brian also and find his paly a long videos very useful Im wondering if you done a deal with your audience what you sell 200 copies of your book you will do a couple of play along videos on some of those exercises for us part timers, learnings and wannbe students 🙂Tks for the upload ..
I've been thinking of doing some more demonstration videos or creating audio files to accompany the book, but I haven't had time yet. I'll work on it. Thanks!
@@RidgewoodSchoolofMusic Thank you for your reply and I look forward to playing along one day if you choose to make any demo videos.
My technik is bad, I smoke too much, I am a lazy worker but my ambition is high, any advice ?
If you switch to smoking meth it should solve all of your other problems until your teeth fall out. Otherwise I'd recommend setting aside a realistic amount of time every day, perhaps first thing in the morning, to force yourself to follow a regular practice routine. If you try to overdo it, you might get discouraged, but if you set attainable daily goals, you might find that once you get started you have fun with it. We're all lazy to some degree, it's just a matter of somehow getting yourself to start the work in spite of your laziness. Ambition helps. Good luck! Also, just kidding, don't smoke meth.
Please can we have a free pdf for your book
No 😘