Holy moly. I’ve seen Javier Gonzalez a little on YouTube and his mentor, Bill Bing. He’s an amazing player.

I think there are definitely some similarities between how Javier plays and what Greg prescribes–one setting for the entire range of the instrument. And clearly he’s playing relaxed and with a good sound in all registers.

The leadpipe…[Read more]

I’m sure Greg can, but the act of harmonic slurs, I believe, is how we refine the movements we need to make based up in our own physiology, equipment, etc.

Experimenting with minute changes in our embouchure, tongue level, etc. (Shape changes), and observing how those changes help our speed or sound while doing harmonic slurs, helps us to learn…[Read more]

No one will figure it out for you. Greg and others can give you guidance, but the only way, unless you’re one of the lucky few, is through experimenting to see what works for you.

One thing that helped me in the beginning, and even now, is to play G or A below the staff (for example) then breath attack the G or A on the staff and observe how…[Read more]

Thanks for the update SvV, that’s good to hear and what I expected–because I have been there, we all have. Even some of the greatest players realize at times that they could relax more.

Usually, when things are off for me, its because tension has crept back in. It’s subtle and doesn’t take much to limit our range.

Lately, I have focused…[Read more]

SvV,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ve heard a bit about Pops. Some have said some of his concepts are similar to Greg’s. There are probably a lot of different ways there.

IT probably depends on the person, how long or quick it takes. For me personally, it was kind of sudden after watching some YouTube videos I started experimenting…[Read more]

You’re welcome. I believe you can do it. And I believe it’s much easier than you think. We get in our own way by engaging the lip muscles, rather than the muscles in surrounding the lips (aperture corners) and clamp down top to bottom like a clamp too tight. Those muscles are too strong for the air and any engagement reduces vibration. Not to…[Read more]

I thought I wasn’t physically built right somehow and thats why I was limited to pretty much G above the staff, despite years of lessons, practice and dedication/effort. I gave up in my early 20s. A couple years ago in my late 40s I stumbled across Gregs and others’ YouTube videos. I had nothing to lose and for some reason I believed what Greg…[Read more]

FWIW, I just posted a response on another thread (Monette) that is relevant. Ive switched to a shallow mouthpiece and have been experimenting the past month, playing exclusively on the new shallow MP. I have found playing very forward and open works the best. It is odd at times how forward and open, almost feels as though I’m not making any…[Read more]

I switched from a 3C to a 1 1/2C and actually found the bigger MP gave me better range, control.

Ive been experimenting with a Bach Commercial 3MV, which is much shallower / brighter.

It’s made me really have to focus on less is more, there’s no room in the MP for extra lip protruding into it.

I’m still figuring it out, but have realized…[Read more]

Rob,

I had the same experience. Keep the Faith, and you’ll be better for it. It’s not as easy as saying engage the aperture corners and we’re good to go, the reality is sometimes frustratingly subtle–a f*ing knife’s edge of difference. It can be excruciatingly subtly different. The good news is, you’ll be better for the experience. The bad…[Read more]

It sounds to me like you are overdoing it somehow, like you’re over exerting yourself.

WindWorks is about efficiency and less is more, etc. It should feel and sound efficient, resonant, great. You shouldn’t be getting that tired and sore.

You might want to try Skyping with Greg or posting a video of yourself playing.

Caleb, one important point is that passive air is important and you want to be playing mf or softer. Based on your post above, I suspect you’re playing too tightly and clamping down on the lips too much, like many of us have struggled with. Hope that helps.

Hi Caleb,

I believe Greg talked about Sympathetic vs Synthetic Oscillation early on in the course.

He touches on it in “Largo Fundamentals – The Leadpipe SHAPE Revisited” and these videos:

The concept, in a nutshell, is that we don’t buzz the lips to produce sound on the Trumpet. W…[Read more]

Hi Kzem,

Here’s a video in which Greg explains the two building concept–I believe it starts at about 21:03 in this video if you want to skip ahead. The whole video is useful/great.

I can’t really advise on how the 2 building concept works as I did not have playing commitments to tend to, so I dove completely into…[Read more]

Great post and thanks for sharing your experience as that helps us all.

I’m probably not the best person to advise you on this as I have struggled with shallow mouthpieces. I did get a Bach 3E to work for a bit, but found a C cup works better for me. I even found that my range improved when I went from a 3C to 1 1/2C, which doesn’t make sense…[Read more]

That doesn’t sound good or normal, Rob, unless your Christmas Singalong was several hours long with intensely loud and high playing.

I suspect you’re manipulating your lips/face muscles too much.

My interpretation / understanding of WindWorks is that more relaxed, more natural, freer the better–the 1% rule. The more efficient we play, the…[Read more]

Thanks Greg. Hope you and yours are very well. Happy Holidays to you and everyone else on the WindWorks site.

Good to hear, Peter. I have realized that when I have struggled, it has usually been because I was more focused on Results than Process, and when I refocused my energies on Process, the Results improved.

I had one of those days today, actually… But now I know what to do tomorrow…

Keep the faith and good luck. You Can do this just as well…[Read more]

Wow, great information–thank you for sharing! I am at the point where I need to focus on my air support / breathing–I want to increase my volume / dynamic range in the upper register and I think I might be hitting a bit of a wall / break in my range at about F#/G above High C.

Awesome, congrats! Thanks for sharing. I have noticed that as well–when I was younger, my range was limited and endurance extremely limited. Now, I feel like I can play as long as I want (although I have limited time to play) and have my full range the whole time.