Sorry to hear you’re hitting a wall, I know how that feels sometimes.

I’m probably not the best person to ask or advise as I am an amateur comeback player just doing this for fun; I have no playing commitments or resonsibilities, and I have limited time to practice. Like today, I was pretty swamped at work and now I’m tired and probably won’t…[Read more]

This one actually might be even better and it’s shorter:

I agree with Ron that it’s best to follow the course and develop gradually, as Greg recommends.

However, to be honest, that’s not how it worked for me and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with experimenting a bit with range–as long as you are…[Read more]

Logan,

Not sure if you’ve seen this, but I thought this was very helpful:

Great post, Ron. Thanks, but I think Greg described the two building bit best–I believe it was in his Trumpet Chat #7–the one he posted in response to the “Am I The Only Dummy” thread.

The concept is that we’re living in our current house while we begin construction on our new house. We have to live in our current house as the new one isn’t…[Read more]

Hi Logan,

Glad if what we posted helped.

I was pinching off my upper register too–my range was G above the staff, practically.

I wouldn’t say that putting more lip tissue into the MP helps relieve the pressure.

I would say that engaging the aperture corners surrounding the aperture, tightening only as much as necessary as we ascend with…[Read more]

Great post, Ronald.

I think some have interpreted that it’s important to form a certain pucker/forward shape with the lips in order to get results / follow what Greg is instructing, etc.

I don’t believe that is the case at all, I believe the point of the AahhhOoohhh is really more of a mental thing and more about changing pitch, not about…[Read more]

Peter,

Thanks so much for the update, I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how it was going. Glad you were able to Skype with Greg and feel a renewed sense of optimism.

I’m still on my own journey as well, but am very grateful for how far I’ve come.

Lately, I’ve realized a new sense of how relaxed we can be and how less truly is…[Read more]

I think you might be over thinking it a bit.

You’re not alone, we all have.

In my experience, it works best when I place the MP on my face in a relaxed, natural position.

The AahhhOoohhh thing is really about engaging the corners. I tend to think of that more now than actually say / form that position with my lips–I dont believe…[Read more]

Haven’t tried it but was thinking about it after finding a 1 1/2C worked better for me than a 3C… Played Baritone (Euphonium) in middle school…was thinking maybe that’s why a bigger mp worked better… Probably not, probably just something physical.

You’re very welcome, Peter. Glad you are going to meet with Greg online–I can’t think of anything that would be more helpful than that.

I definitely can relate to your feelings of shame, rage/frustration. I’m sure everyone on this site, including Greg, have felt those same feelings; I know I have. There have been times I have wanted to quit…[Read more]

Today–he posted a video on the thread before this that Peter started. Greg explained he just had his knee surgery, etc.

Great post, Wildflower! I was thinking of following up with a post saying the same thing when I saw your post and Greg’s response above.

Great to hear your knee surgery is over, Greg, hope you have a fast and full recovery! And thanks for your kind words, I would be thrilled if anything I contribute in a post helps someone figure something out…[Read more]

You’re very welcome. I am very grateful for what progress I have experienced and hope I can pay it forward.

I can relate to struggling playing above the staff. I started playing at 8 and despite countless lessons with reputable teachers and countless hours of practice, I never really learned how to play properly and didn’t even realize that. I…[Read more]

Peter,

I’m very sorry to hear that you’re having difficulty.

For what its worth, we’ve all been there–that’s why we’re here.

It would be helpful if you could describe where you’re at with your playing and what your goal is.

I think its important that we constantly remember that WindWorks is not a set of exercises that you play to…[Read more]

It takes a long time and is not a straight upward climb, there will probably be setbacks / backsliding, etc. That was very frustrating for me as I had gotten a taste of the Golden fruit then went backwards inexplicably, I didn’t think I was doing anything different; but of course I was, but it was subtle but made all the difference. It takes…[Read more]

When you say rolling the bottom lip in, do you mean rolling it under the top lip? I believe that’s what Greg mentions in his video and it happens to be what I was doing, blowing the air down towards the floor. It worked to a point but I usually ran out of lip and/or clamped down shortly above the staff.

Sounds like you’ve made it work up to…[Read more]

If it feels good and you’re getting a good sound, playing feels more efficient / natural, then it’s probably a good thing. The Farkas book, which I think is referred to above or in another thread mentions its important to align the teeth; my teeth happened to be aligned, I don’t have an over or under bite. So it might be different for me. We…[Read more]

I havent noticed that, but I’ll try to think about it today / tomorrow and let you know.

I’ve heard people describe the opposite–lowering the jaw as they descend and raising it as they ascend, kind of goes along with the tongue movement aaahhh eeeeee. I think Greg touched on that in one of his videos.

I think the movement(s) I make is…[Read more]

Excellent, Miguel.

There was mention on another thread about whistling. Greg provided some explanation on how that relates to playing. I believe he indicated it wasnt a direct parallel, but there are some commonalities.

I too have always whistled easily and have used that to think about playing. I like your points above. Less is more with…[Read more]

Awesome posts, Ron & Jutta!