I discovered the Cat Anderson "Whisper G" practice technique. Recently I've been doing it every day for 10 minutes a day for about 3 weeks and I must say it has really built my upper register and by far is the best "shortcut" to playing high that i've ever come across. I used to struggle to hit A's above the staff, and now I can hit a strong D above high C and if i'm fully warmed up I can nail a high F with little effort.
The "Whisper G" is certainly a very useful exercise. It's even better when combined with the rest of the method. I heartily recommend checking out Geoff Winstead's book "The Real Way To Play The Cat Anderson Trumpet Method" - Geoff was a student of Cat's for many years and has first hand experience with correcting the vagueness of the original book.
There are a couple of different interpretations of the "whisper G" on youtube , though. Some play it with a squeeky half choked tone, turning it into more of an isometric exercise, while some play it with a lot of air, more like a subtone focusing more on efficiency. To me those interpretations turn into vastly different exercices. I don't know which is closer to the "whisper G" that Cat Anderson referred to.
The demonstration by Larry Meregillano (sp?) is one I would trust - he's another guy who studied personally with Cat. It's interesting that you should differentiate between an isometric exercise and an efficiency one - they're very much sides of the same coin! My understanding, from my communications with Geoff Winstead (again, see my recommendation above), is that the explanation from the original Cat Anderson Method book "as if in a whisper" is true once you realize what it means! He explains it as a very soft tone, almost like an overtone in the center of the airstream, with air noise surrounding. That's basically the same as a whisper when we speak one. Although it requires a steady airstream, I wouldn't it describe as "a lot of air" from my personal experience doing it. I'm going to spend some time dialing it back in right now, since it's been a while since I've done it, to see if I can better describe it further. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Airflow Music I was mainly referring to the difference between people using it as a way to try to build muscles through static high tension or focusing on tone good tone production with least possible effort. Probably the exercise was meant to achieve a bit of both by gently building just the right muscles and the coordination between muscles and airflow to produce a good sound in an efficient way without more tension than needed, leading to improved acuracy and endurance.
In my opinion, the focus should be on the response to a small airflow, relaxing into the blow and allowing the aperture to adapt as it needs to, rather than forcing it small.
Hi Bryan, When you were a younger trumpet player how long would it take you to feel comfortable with a certain note before you can start doing those exercises at the next note? Or if you dont remember, how long "should" it take any given person to reach the next note given that they practice everyday.
Hi Ryan. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. When I was younger, I wasn’t so methodical in my practice. Therefore, I didn’t really notice how long it took to put things together and it was probably slower than it could’ve been! I don’t have a rule of thumb for how long it should take to get a new note under control. There are a lot of variables to consider. Something I have my students do is work a particular exercise, like the glissandos, and move up a half step when they can perform “a good one” on the exercise 3 times in a row. Once they can consistently play a particular pitch of the exercise well 3 times in a row, then they can make it 2 good ones for that pitch so they move up more quickly, and so on.
Airflow Music Awesome! Starting that comfortable note with piano gradually increasing to fortissimo then back to piano. That should really help a lot. Learned it that way hehe
Hi Brian. All videos you make are usefull and I am one of those Who asked if I had to change embouchure, but I did not, started listening to you instead😊 But something I wondered... When you play lower than dubble g you sound smooth, but when you play higher your sound gets much more intense and with more overtones and much more sparkling sound. That sparkling sound of yours I really like, much more interesting g so to speake...do you make that sound on purpose or is it more like "that is the way I sound?" Just listen to little big band with Rapa and Gansch. Thanks for all videos. 👍
Hi Thomas. Thanks for watching. The Cat Anderson Whisper G is a great exercise and one which I use from time to time. However, I rarely have the time or patience to play the full 20 minutes!
Hi Erik. I’m glad you’ve found the videos helpful. Thanks for watching! I’m not sure I know of a recording of Little Big Band with Thomas and Adam on it. Please share the link. It must have been from almost 10 years ago! Back at that time, the way I approach using my air was much newer to me so I didn’t have quite as much control as I hope I have now. Therefore, everything in that register was purely about airspeed so it had plenty of zing or sizzle. I think I’m better able to color the sound now, in all registers.
Love all of your videos man! Rewatching them all currently to refresh my memory and hopefully apply to my playing to add a greater level of efficiency. Thanks for sharing!
@@AirflowMusicNYC thanks so much for your reply! This will definitely keep me busy for a good while. We're 4 months into our current lockdown, and I live in a small building where I can't really practice louder than pianissimo. I'm hoping all the soft playing will have some added benefit, but a bit nervous of the downside of not playing at full volume ever.i don't have any of my mutes with me currently, but I am however in the process of making a little make shift practice box to put my bell in and maybe be able to practice at a decent volume. You wouldn't happen to have any words of wisdom for those circumstances?
Hi Bryan~ My student (age 12) just started playing the trumpet ( 6 months) and is discouraged because he isn't able to play the E or F (or any higher note) above 2nd line G. I am working with him on building a strong foundation - good air support, technique, playing musically, and so on so when the range comes, he will be able to do more than HIT those notes, but play them too. These videos are GREAT!! One question I have: He also will be getting some braces this next summer because of a bike accident he went through. What tips do you have for a young player who will be wearing braces for a couple years to protect the chops?
Hi Christopher. Thanks for checking out the videos. I’m so pleased that you’re finding them helpful. Unfortunately, my experience with braces is limited. However, there are a couple of things that have been helpful with the few students I’ve worked with who have them. First, the transition period when first getting them is important - it’s easy for kids to get discouraged by both the pain and the step backwards that’s usually caused when they first get the braces. Encourage patience and getting effortless long tones going on their most familiar notes, to help them get used to it. Secondly, I recommend an isometric like the pencil exercise (Stevens-Costello version, aka version #2 from my “I for Isometrics” video) to encourage corner support and maximize lip cushion. I hope that’s helpful - thanks again for watching.
Is this good? I can't really say how long I've been playing bc it's been kinda iffy. I started in 5th grade and was learning basics until 7th grade, where my class would get to join the high schoolers. That was the year I quit band. I have been out for two years but got back in in August of this year (9th grade) and had to rebuild everything; learning fingerings, building my range (still knew how to buzz) and how to read music (still haven't learned that yet). From August 2018 to now, I have changed mouthpieces alot, from an Accent 7C for a few months then to a Glory 5C for a few more months to a Glory 3C for a week or so then back to my current Glory 5C. I can currently reach a C6 fairly often. I am trying to build my range and become a screamer by next August but my range seems to have stopped. I have hit notes above that (I think the highest I've squeaked out is a A7 but it was shaking between tons of notes) but that's only on rare occasion.
I presume that a C6 is a high C on trumpet (2 ledger lines above the treble staff) - is that right? Aside from that, do you have a question? Thanks for watching...
As I said in the video, try to include them in other things that you are practicing. Play exercises or melodies in keys that take you there, as well as ‘just’ picking them out.
The highest note I can play is a high c. I really want to make it into Jazz Band next year and I want to play high notes. Even after the video, I still cant play high. :( Any tips?
Thanks for watching. Have you spent some time practicing in the way I describe in the video? To recap, you need to start at the comfortable upper note of your range and play it a lot, every day. That will help you develop the coordination and balance to move up and dial the next note in. It takes time, practice and patience, but anyone can do it.
Yes, absolutely. However, rather than starting with highest achieveable note, I’d figure out what the highest note you can play comfortably is; i.e. a few notes below your highest which is already somewhat locked in and doesn’t feel like the hardest thing in the world. Then build on that until you can play it at least 100 times in a day. Once you can, build on a half step/semitone higher. Rinse and repeat. There was a time when playing a 3rd space C in the staff was a challenge for you - it was for me when I was young. Since then, you’ve played it a bunch of times so you probably don’t worry about it any more. The more practice time you spend playing a note a bunch of times, the quicker you develop consistency on it. It’s not difficult, just unfamiliar to begin with.
I am only on G above staff after playing for 8 years, I was able to play high D or something like that but year ago It got messed up and now I am really struggling to play high notes. I have noticed that I'm not pulling symmetrically with my corners. My right corner is always pretty tensed up and left almost relaxed. I am also trying to figure it out how to get rid of it in front of the mirror but every time I put the mouthpiece on lips and buzz gently it turns back.. Is it possible that this is keeping me back of high tones? (By the way, I'm pretty happy with your videos. They are making things in order in my head because I had mess there from all different opinions and techniques )
HI Jan. Thanks for watching, I'm glad you've found the videos helpful. It's hard to say exactly what's going on without seeing you play. If your feeling is that your corners are unbalanced that certainly may contribute. I recommend a couple of things to try: 1st - do the pencil exercise as I described in I for Isometrics (the 2nd version, from Stevens/Costello) at th-cam.com/video/iQ5xlCtgTrs/w-d-xo.html. That should help balance out your corners. 2nd - doing some low register lip buzzing (L for Lip Buzzing - th-cam.com/video/liI9OxLQEcY/w-d-xo.html) should help similarly. Overall, remember that playing the trumpet is much more about airflow than chops. We can spend far too much time worrying what our embouchures look like and that can distract us from how we're breathing and blowing. If you'd like some more personalized advice about your playing, please consider taking a Skype lesson with me. Then I'll be able to see what's going on and tell you exactly what to practice to get back on track. - Bryan
Absolutely! My apologies for being a little slow to respond - I was busy teaching! ;-) Please visit airflowmusic.com/product/lessons-with-bryan-davis/ for price details, and send me a message via airflowmusic.com/contact/ to set up a date and time. I have a few open slots before the end of this week, or we can book ahead.
Let's if we were able to catch de whole amount of air from a hurricane and play it in a trumpet, for how long the trumpet could play????...I can not play more than 40 seconds :(...
It’s not about the quantity of air as much as learning to regulate it. We need to move very little air to play. However, we need to oxygenate enough that we don’t die from not breathing, and train our bodies to not sound the alarm when the mix in our lungs becomes a little stale/carbon dioxide-rich.
I remember my first note on the trumpet and it was above a high C. In fact, I was playing an octive higher than normal but that was a normal range for me.
That is my Hammond Design custom piece, converted to a Schagerl Apredato. For more info on my mouthpieces, please watch: th-cam.com/video/b78U1z4TM7Q/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching.
I discovered the Cat Anderson "Whisper G" practice technique. Recently I've been doing it every day for 10 minutes a day for about 3 weeks and I must say it has really built my upper register and by far is the best "shortcut" to playing high that i've ever come across. I used to struggle to hit A's above the staff, and now I can hit a strong D above high C and if i'm fully warmed up I can nail a high F with little effort.
The "Whisper G" is certainly a very useful exercise. It's even better when combined with the rest of the method. I heartily recommend checking out Geoff Winstead's book "The Real Way To Play The Cat Anderson Trumpet Method" - Geoff was a student of Cat's for many years and has first hand experience with correcting the vagueness of the original book.
There are a couple of different interpretations of the "whisper G" on youtube , though. Some play it with a squeeky half choked tone, turning it into more of an isometric exercise, while some play it with a lot of air, more like a subtone focusing more on efficiency. To me those interpretations turn into vastly different exercices. I don't know which is closer to the "whisper G" that Cat Anderson referred to.
The demonstration by Larry Meregillano (sp?) is one I would trust - he's another guy who studied personally with Cat. It's interesting that you should differentiate between an isometric exercise and an efficiency one - they're very much sides of the same coin!
My understanding, from my communications with Geoff Winstead (again, see my recommendation above), is that the explanation from the original Cat Anderson Method book "as if in a whisper" is true once you realize what it means! He explains it as a very soft tone, almost like an overtone in the center of the airstream, with air noise surrounding. That's basically the same as a whisper when we speak one. Although it requires a steady airstream, I wouldn't it describe as "a lot of air" from my personal experience doing it. I'm going to spend some time dialing it back in right now, since it's been a while since I've done it, to see if I can better describe it further.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Airflow Music I was mainly referring to the difference between people using it as a way to try to build muscles through static high tension or focusing on tone good tone production with least possible effort.
Probably the exercise was meant to achieve a bit of both by gently building just the right muscles and the coordination between muscles and airflow to produce a good sound in an efficient way without more tension than needed, leading to improved acuracy and endurance.
In my opinion, the focus should be on the response to a small airflow, relaxing into the blow and allowing the aperture to adapt as it needs to, rather than forcing it small.
In a sentimental mood example was nice! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Hi Bryan, When you were a younger trumpet player how long would it take you to feel comfortable with a certain note before you can start doing those exercises at the next note? Or if you dont remember, how long "should" it take any given person to reach the next note given that they practice everyday.
Hi Ryan. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
When I was younger, I wasn’t so methodical in my practice. Therefore, I didn’t really notice how long it took to put things together and it was probably slower than it could’ve been!
I don’t have a rule of thumb for how long it should take to get a new note under control. There are a lot of variables to consider. Something I have my students do is work a particular exercise, like the glissandos, and move up a half step when they can perform “a good one” on the exercise 3 times in a row. Once they can consistently play a particular pitch of the exercise well 3 times in a row, then they can make it 2 good ones for that pitch so they move up more quickly, and so on.
oh okay thanks for the reply!
Bryan Davis - Airflow Music l
Got high notes now? All questions and feedback welcome...
Airflow Music Awesome! Starting that comfortable note with piano gradually increasing to fortissimo then back to piano. That should really help a lot. Learned it that way hehe
Airflow Music Hi Mr. Davis, what do you think about the Cat Anderson Whisper G?
Hi Brian.
All videos you make are usefull and I am one of those Who asked if I had to change embouchure, but I did not, started listening to you instead😊
But something I wondered... When you play lower than dubble g you sound smooth, but when you play higher your sound gets much more intense and with more overtones and much more sparkling sound. That sparkling sound of yours I really like, much more interesting g so to speake...do you make that sound on purpose or is it more like "that is the way I sound?" Just listen to little big band with Rapa and Gansch.
Thanks for all videos. 👍
Hi Thomas. Thanks for watching. The Cat Anderson Whisper G is a great exercise and one which I use from time to time. However, I rarely have the time or patience to play the full 20 minutes!
Hi Erik. I’m glad you’ve found the videos helpful. Thanks for watching!
I’m not sure I know of a recording of Little Big Band with Thomas and Adam on it. Please share the link. It must have been from almost 10 years ago! Back at that time, the way I approach using my air was much newer to me so I didn’t have quite as much control as I hope I have now. Therefore, everything in that register was purely about airspeed so it had plenty of zing or sizzle. I think I’m better able to color the sound now, in all registers.
Great video. I’ve learned so much from your explanations of lip placement and breathing. Thanks
You’re very welcome. I’m so glad you’ve found the videos helpful.
Love all of your videos man! Rewatching them all currently to refresh my memory and hopefully apply to my playing to add a greater level of efficiency. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you’re enjoying them. Anything I missed that you’d like to hear my take on?
@@AirflowMusicNYC thanks so much for your reply! This will definitely keep me busy for a good while. We're 4 months into our current lockdown, and I live in a small building where I can't really practice louder than pianissimo. I'm hoping all the soft playing will have some added benefit, but a bit nervous of the downside of not playing at full volume ever.i don't have any of my mutes with me currently, but I am however in the process of making a little make shift practice box to put my bell in and maybe be able to practice at a decent volume. You wouldn't happen to have any words of wisdom for those circumstances?
Thanks
Hi Bryan~
My student (age 12) just started playing the trumpet ( 6 months) and is discouraged because he isn't able to play the E or F (or any higher note) above 2nd line G. I am working with him on building a strong foundation - good air support, technique, playing musically, and so on so when the range comes, he will be able to do more than HIT those notes, but play them too. These videos are GREAT!!
One question I have: He also will be getting some braces this next summer because of a bike accident he went through. What tips do you have for a young player who will be wearing braces for a couple years to protect the chops?
Hi Christopher. Thanks for checking out the videos. I’m so pleased that you’re finding them helpful.
Unfortunately, my experience with braces is limited. However, there are a couple of things that have been helpful with the few students I’ve worked with who have them.
First, the transition period when first getting them is important - it’s easy for kids to get discouraged by both the pain and the step backwards that’s usually caused when they first get the braces. Encourage patience and getting effortless long tones going on their most familiar notes, to help them get used to it.
Secondly, I recommend an isometric like the pencil exercise (Stevens-Costello version, aka version #2 from my “I for Isometrics” video) to encourage corner support and maximize lip cushion.
I hope that’s helpful - thanks again for watching.
👍👍👍 Three thumbs up for that !!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Is this good? I can't really say how long I've been playing bc it's been kinda iffy. I started in 5th grade and was learning basics until 7th grade, where my class would get to join the high schoolers. That was the year I quit band. I have been out for two years but got back in in August of this year (9th grade) and had to rebuild everything; learning fingerings, building my range (still knew how to buzz) and how to read music (still haven't learned that yet). From August 2018 to now, I have changed mouthpieces alot, from an Accent 7C for a few months then to a Glory 5C for a few more months to a Glory 3C for a week or so then back to my current Glory 5C. I can currently reach a C6 fairly often. I am trying to build my range and become a screamer by next August but my range seems to have stopped. I have hit notes above that (I think the highest I've squeaked out is a A7 but it was shaking between tons of notes) but that's only on rare occasion.
I presume that a C6 is a high C on trumpet (2 ledger lines above the treble staff) - is that right? Aside from that, do you have a question?
Thanks for watching...
@@AirflowMusicNYC yes, the C two ledger lines above the staff. I don't have any other questions aside from is my range good for my experience. Thanks
Sounds like you’re doing just fine, to me.
Hello. Very intetesting video. In which way do you suggest to play these 100 high comfortable notes each day?
As I said in the video, try to include them in other things that you are practicing. Play exercises or melodies in keys that take you there, as well as ‘just’ picking them out.
What trumpet do you use and is there any specific trumpet you would recommend for less than 1400 or so
The highest note I can play is a high c. I really want to make it into Jazz Band next year and I want to play high notes. Even after the video, I still cant play high. :( Any tips?
Thanks for watching.
Have you spent some time practicing in the way I describe in the video? To recap, you need to start at the comfortable upper note of your range and play it a lot, every day. That will help you develop the coordination and balance to move up and dial the next note in. It takes time, practice and patience, but anyone can do it.
@@AirflowMusicNYC If I keep playing my highest achievable note every day then I will improve on high notes?
Yes, absolutely. However, rather than starting with highest achieveable note, I’d figure out what the highest note you can play comfortably is; i.e. a few notes below your highest which is already somewhat locked in and doesn’t feel like the hardest thing in the world. Then build on that until you can play it at least 100 times in a day. Once you can, build on a half step/semitone higher. Rinse and repeat.
There was a time when playing a 3rd space C in the staff was a challenge for you - it was for me when I was young. Since then, you’ve played it a bunch of times so you probably don’t worry about it any more. The more practice time you spend playing a note a bunch of times, the quicker you develop consistency on it. It’s not difficult, just unfamiliar to begin with.
@@AirflowMusicNYC Thank you!
Hey how’s it going so far with the upper register??
Magnifike..another excelent video..thanks a lot bryan
Thanks for watching. New content coming soon.
I am only on G above staff after playing for 8 years, I was able to play high D or something like that but year ago It got messed up and now I am really struggling to play high notes. I have noticed that I'm not pulling symmetrically with my corners. My right corner is always pretty tensed up and left almost relaxed. I am also trying to figure it out how to get rid of it in front of the mirror but every time I put the mouthpiece on lips and buzz gently it turns back.. Is it possible that this is keeping me back of high tones? (By the way, I'm pretty happy with your videos. They are making things in order in my head because I had mess there from all different opinions and techniques )
HI Jan. Thanks for watching, I'm glad you've found the videos helpful.
It's hard to say exactly what's going on without seeing you play. If your feeling is that your corners are unbalanced that certainly may contribute. I recommend a couple of things to try:
1st - do the pencil exercise as I described in I for Isometrics (the 2nd version, from Stevens/Costello) at th-cam.com/video/iQ5xlCtgTrs/w-d-xo.html. That should help balance out your corners.
2nd - doing some low register lip buzzing (L for Lip Buzzing - th-cam.com/video/liI9OxLQEcY/w-d-xo.html) should help similarly.
Overall, remember that playing the trumpet is much more about airflow than chops. We can spend far too much time worrying what our embouchures look like and that can distract us from how we're breathing and blowing.
If you'd like some more personalized advice about your playing, please consider taking a Skype lesson with me. Then I'll be able to see what's going on and tell you exactly what to practice to get back on track.
- Bryan
Thanks for your valuable advice. I'll definitely try it. We will see how it goes and I hope it'll.
do u have any tips for improving range
Aside from the ones in this video? Of course! In the Trumpet A-Z look at A, B, F, G, N, P, T, U, V & W.
Thanks for watching.
thx cause I serioudly gotta increase my range before September
What's the occasion in September? Where are you up to, and what sort of range are you hoping to develop?
cause I'm am playing first part for trumpet for my schools marching band and a really high range
How high is “really high”? Where’s the top of your comfortable range right now?
Thank you for this.
Would love to do a Skype lesson. Is that possible?
Absolutely! My apologies for being a little slow to respond - I was busy teaching! ;-)
Please visit airflowmusic.com/product/lessons-with-bryan-davis/ for price details, and send me a message via airflowmusic.com/contact/ to set up a date and time. I have a few open slots before the end of this week, or we can book ahead.
Let's if we were able to catch de whole amount of air from a hurricane and play it in a trumpet, for how long the trumpet could play????...I can not play more than 40 seconds :(...
It’s not about the quantity of air as much as learning to regulate it. We need to move very little air to play. However, we need to oxygenate enough that we don’t die from not breathing, and train our bodies to not sound the alarm when the mix in our lungs becomes a little stale/carbon dioxide-rich.
In a sentimental mood by John Coltrane 😎👌🏽
It was certainly recorded by John Coltrane, however it’s a Duke Ellington song.
I remember my first note on the trumpet and it was above a high C. In fact, I was playing an octive higher than normal but that was a normal range for me.
/zed/
I’m not sure what that means, but thanks for watching!
May I ask what mouth piece you’re using on this video?
That is my Hammond Design custom piece, converted to a Schagerl Apredato. For more info on my mouthpieces, please watch: th-cam.com/video/b78U1z4TM7Q/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching.
Click bait! Thank you for CB.... never enough.
রংউঠেকোনো
Brevity is definitely not your style
How kind of you to say. Thanks for watching.