The highest notes of the trumpet can capture the interest and attention of almost any listener. However, it takes time and effort to climb to the upper register. An excellent way to start is by building stamina to playing through lip and tongue exercises. Try to gradually extend your range with short efforts as you play through the scales. Finally, keep your body upright so that it is easier for you to channel the air quickly into the mouthpiece.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Building Stamina
Step 1. Take care to keep a single note in the correct pitch
Pick a note in the lower register. Play the trumpet for 30 seconds at the beginning. Keep practicing until you can hold out for up to 2 minutes or more at a single time. If you're concerned about playing the correct note, use a keyboard or piano and try to produce the same sound.
Step 2. Play up and down within a scale
Play 3 notes ascending, 5 notes ascending, and then descending again. Keep going up and down the notes. Try to get a little higher each time. It's okay if you can't sustain the high notes for a long time. This exercise is primarily focused on improving your ability to move from one note to another.
Step 3. Play the sound of a "siren"
Try moving from the middle of your register to the bottom, to the top, and then to the middle. If you can do it without taking breaks, it will be a great breathing exercise.
Step 4. Exercise your lips
Pull out the mouthpiece of the trumpet and hum with your lips against it. Do it every day for 15 minutes. Keep doing it for 4-8 weeks. After 8 weeks, you can reduce this time to between 1 and 2 minutes per day.
Another exercise to exercise the lips is to place a pencil between your lips and hold it in front of you. Do this daily and try to hold it in position for 3-4 minutes
Step 5. Do a five note exercise
Playing the C note is the entry point to access the higher register. Begin by playing the low F sharp note, then perform a 5-note lip tie. Count them in the manner 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5. Then repeat this process as you move up the ladder. The goal here is to be consistent in playing and moving between notes using only the force of your lips.
The lip ligation is an exercise often used by brass players, which involves creating and changing notes using only the lips. These exercises are often performed in descending order and with notes that have the same fingering. For example, G-C-G, F sharp-B-F sharp, F-B flat-F, and so on
Step 6. Do breathing exercises
Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with air over the course of 4 times. Releases the air from the mouth over the course of 4 times. Then, inhale for 3 beats and exhale for 4. Then, inhale for 2 beats and exhale for 4. The goal is to make the same amount of air last longer, which is what you will need to reach a high note. You can also do the low, mid, and upper register exercise, in which you breathe first from the diaphragm, then from the chest, then from the throat, and exhale. You can change the speed and length of time you hold your breath to suit your needs. For example, you could inhale for 12 and exhale for 12, in case you want to practice piano dynamics. You could also inhale for 4, exhale for 4 for a mezzo forte practice.
You can also get a stopwatch and record the time it takes you to release the equivalent of 2 rhythmic breaths. See if you can extend this time with practice
Step 7. Practice every day for a minimum of 15 minutes
If you try to practice every day for several hours, you will wear down your tongue, lips and throat. However, it is a good idea to spend at least 15 minutes a day either exercising your lips or actually touching. This will gradually increase your resistance to playing the trumpet.
Method 2 of 3: Hit a High Note
Step 1. Start by generating a low hum
Take 3 deep breaths and exhale. Take the trumpet and place the mouthpiece against your mouth. Blow air into the mouthpiece until you make a consistent low humming sound.
Step 2. Blow through the trumpet for about 1 minute without playing any notes
Keep the air flow constant by taking deep breaths and filling your lungs with air and exhaling directly into the trumpet. Begin playing immediately after inhaling for maximum benefit.
Step 3. Focus on moving up the ladder
Extends the tones and notes and begins to play the C scale. Gradually move through the scales after C, heading toward the high notes. Take your time doing it. The entire exercise should last between 10 and 15 minutes.
Step 4. Play some arpeggios
Start at C and work your way through grades 1, 3, 5, 8. Again, play upward within the scales. This part of the warm-up should take between 2 and 5 minutes.
Step 5. Start playing the high notes
It begins in sun (fa concert). Do your best to hold this note steadily for about 4 beats. Then every 2 beats, go up a half step on the scale. Stop and take a break when you get to high C (B flat concert). This entire exercise should last between 2 and 5 minutes. If you're still having trouble, go back to strengthening exercises for a few days before trying again.
Step 6. Strive to expand your registry through lip ligatures
Start in C (B-flat concerto) and perform ligatures up and down from there while maintaining the same fingering. Keep the ties slow so that you can center each note as you play it. Gradually move up the scale, rising in half-tone steps, as high as you are able to play.
Method 3 of 3: Improve Your Technique
Step 1. Imagine that each tone of the scale is interrelated
Some people practically develop a mental block that prevents them from hitting the high notes. It is useful to divide the scale in your mind and imagine how each tone is not too far removed from those above or below. Also, one person's high grade could be another's baseline.
Step 2. Control the airflow instead of blowing harder
Many trumpeters try to reach the high notes by putting more pressure on the mouthpiece. This may increase the volume, but will do little to make the sound higher-pitched. Instead, focus on controlling the flow of air from your lungs through your lips. You can actually hit "higher" notes than C using very little air.
Step 3. Maintain an upright posture
You can stand or sit to play the trumpet. Regardless of your posture, make sure to keep your spine straight. This allows air to flow in a straight line from the lungs into the mouth and into the mouthpiece. You may see some trumpeters shrink, however, it's best not to try when you're busy hitting the high notes.
Try to play while looking at yourself in a full-length mirror. This will allow you to check your posture while playing. Always keep your shoulders back and the trumpet at a parallel distance or 1 degree above
Step 4. Use a smaller mouthpiece
You should be able to play a high note on any type of mouthpiece. However, some trumpeters claim that a smaller mouthpiece will make it easier to climb higher on the scale. If you find that the position of your lips is a bit loose, then wearing a small mouth guard could force you to tighten them. This, in turn, can generate a higher pitch.
Step 5. Arch your tongue as you play
Try lifting your tongue as you try to move up the ladder. Imagine that you make the vowel sound "i". This will create a funnel for air to pass through the mouth and into the mouthpiece. As a result, the air will move faster and help you achieve a higher pitch.
The opposite of this approach is lowering your tongue and making the "a" sound
Advice
- Aim for the top of the mouthpiece.
- More air means a higher tone (push the air from the diaphragm and control it).
- Try not to puff out your cheeks while playing. This actually impairs control over airflow, rather than pushing air into the horn. Focus on tightening and firming your cheeks if they feel puffed up.
Warnings
- If you feel dizzy or dizzy during practice, take a break. You may be overloading your face and chest muscles and reducing your oxygen levels.
- If you get dizzy while doing breathing exercises, put your head between your legs and rest until you feel better.