To play high

To play high

Posted on July 27, 2004 by Clint McLauglin

To play high you must:

1. Relax and conserve strength in the lower register.

2. Play with a lip touching embouchure. I can lip buzz over double high c. Buzzing builds chops and teaches you the right mouth position.

3. Use A Lip Set Point. If I set for a g on top of the staff I can relax and pivot to play low G and F#. I can also add air and compression to go over double high c.

4. Use A Pivot.

5. Learn how and when to add compression. NOT just tighten your belly some. Really squeeze all around your torso. NOT chest.

6. Use Timed Breathing. If you take a full breath you can NOT get but about a 30% compression compared to a half breath.

7. Use LESS mouthpiece pressure. It only shuts the aperture and keeps the notes from coming out.

8. Play SONGS in the upper register. Learn to tongue.

That’s a partial list.

Pops