This is my take on it is the answer is yes and no. It is not absolutely necessary to use the drones while playing. However, later in the course, Greg demonstrates doing just that. So since it is available, use it. You will hear the relations of the notes you are playing with core or tonic note and the intervals between while playing. I think…[Read more]

I went back to the way I used to play and I can play on the Bach 3E and switch to the 3C without much problem. Then I tried going back to my new way of playing and it took a couple of days before I could loosen up my lips. But then 3E is unusable unless I play in the below E at the top of the staff.

The first answer is self-evident after moving on to the practice chart. I can do the F to B flat slurs at about 180 to 200. I have improved quite a bit, so forget it. I will work on the on the chromatics until I improve and keep it up in warming up.

The second question is more interesting.
How important is the technique of triple tonguing…[Read more]

Thanks. I will stick with it.

In an effort to control your air, you may be using the larynx and vocal cords. I used to do this also as a high school player (I am still at that level after putting the horn down many years ago). Back then, I would complain about my throat hurting and I would also tighten my neck muscles when playing high C.

When I recently picked the horn…[Read more]

I was playing lip slurs. Third time through, I thought: close eyes, take the breath, aah-oooh, mouthpiece…

As I was playing a felt the sensation, airstream, notes playing on the airstream…

Air… Air… Sound…

Lips doing their thing responding to my expectation, but the air carrying my expectations. I did not think about the tongue, but…[Read more]

I do not see a problem. Slight pivoting as one plays higher to me is normal. Playing in the lower register, I believe, requires a looser, freer vibration of the lower lip and a slight upward pivot of the horn may allow for this.

I am of the opinion that you are doing fine and concern is unwarranted. But this opinion comes from someone who has…[Read more]

How about experimenting with the lead pipe?

I tried it and it seems to help. Part of the whole shape change involves lips and tongue. Changing tongue position affects the jaw position, but I do not notice the pipe doing a lot, if any, pivoting.

Take a look at this video:

href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=k09MLl7d2NA”>

How much movement do you see Greg doing in the video?

When he is playing slowly, I notice the jaw move which may result in the horn changing slightly with the shape change. What happens…[Read more]

I know the lead pipe is not as good a trumpet, but I was thinking the lead pipe would fit while traveling or maybe the big straw that Greg used and is now available in the wind pack. I definitely would take a mouthpiece if I could not have a horn.

Awesome!

I am a retired science teacher. I experiment. If I try playing without engaging lip corners. I get another beginner sound I’ve heard before.

Try this: Do the aah-ooh and then try to whistle. You may not be able to whistle at all, but if you are going to whistle, you will use some lip corner tension.

Try this: Form the aah-oooh and sick the…[Read more]

Aperture corners can be found by doing the aah-ooh as demonstrated. It is important the corners of the lips have tension. This is your anchor and I find that keeping a stable embouchure firm lip corners are essential, but this is not your aperture corners. These firm lip corners are NOT created by smiling or frowning lips but are located on both…

[Read more]

Here’s a video by Greg. https://mysterytomastery.com/what-size-mouthpiece-should-i-use/
You will learn that mouthpieces are used to for changes in timbre. Mouthpiece size is a personal preference for the style of music and what is comfortable. It can be like shoe size. Wouldn’t it be crazy if someone asked the question, “What size shoe should I…[Read more]

Trained singers can use falsetto to sing higher without anyone hearing the voice is falsetto, especially using a microphone. There is a limit and you might just end up sounding like the Bee Gees.

The idea of falsetto is to not use excessive, unproductive tension and overblowing to play higher. It is an analogy that makes some sense, especially…[Read more]

I used my throat to stop the air and also used it to constrict the air in an effort to play in the upper register; which created a lot of tension and affected my voice afterward.

This bad habit still occurs, not so much in stopping the air, but a way of providing compression.

I would suggest you keep visualizing your body as a balloon. Hold…[Read more]