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I'm having trouble with notes above a G! I mean I've been playing for 4.5 years now and I can get a G (above stave) no problem, I find it really easy. An 'A' on the other hand I have to work up to and It's really hard...B...well forget it. Any tips for me? I play the cornet in 4 bands so it's kinda important 3nodding .

A cornet is another version of the trumpet. But thats besides the point use more air to get the higher notes i've been playing for about 2.5 years and I can play a D above the staff (on a good day at least). One more thing, push from you diaphram.

Here's something I've done:

Play SCALES. Lots of Scales. Just go up and down em. F major (Trumpet G scale) works really well. Or Bflat Major even works better.

Play Longtones. Go as high as you can, play like 2-3 whole notes of it, then try and go higher.

Also BREATHE. Like .. That one guy said up there (I forgot your name bud ;_; ) Breath from your diaphragm. Deep breaths, not from the shoulders, from the gut. (My voice teacher explained it as moving your guts in and out..) The lungs expand down and out not up and out. When you start on a high note, take a humongous breath. It will help you from fracking (you know that BLAT note you hit when you're not ready) and will give you more confidence in playing. (Thank you college trumpet prof!)

The key to high notes is practice (I shudder at that word..) I know it's what all your band directors have told you but once I got off my lazy butt and TRIED I could wail like the pros.

I hope this helps a bit! biggrin


YAY FOR TRUMPET/CORNET. (I actually enjoy playing the cornet more but I don't have one *sob*)

Yeah basically what everyone else said. Keep practising them, scales work well. And holding the notes helps too, you have more time to get the pitch right. Trumpet is hard for me, and i know you play coronet, but I've never played one before so I'm using my trumpet experience. Don't feel bad I can barely pull through a scale on the trumpet. You'll do fine if you keep practising. And yes breathe from yoru diaphram. I practise switching because you have to beathe from your lungs for sports, and from your diaphram for music. Good luck. I must run off to school now. ^-^

Air is free. Use it.

I can't play higher than the G above the staff with the mouthpiece that came with my trumpet. If a get a 3C (like soloft said) I'd probably be able to play higher.

PS: Guy above me, she has a CORNET not a CLARINET, lol.

Best thing to do is do what SailorMuse said. In fact, playing scales, both major and chromatic, longtones, and breathing exercises are what is taught at Berklee College of Music to become better horn players. Also, a horn player must never use their shoulders when breathing (through the lungs). It will close you wind pipes which in turn, makes you sound completely flat.

Also, changing your mouthpiece may help you or may not, it's different with everyone. I personally play the 7C that came with the trumpet but I also use a 14A.

And of course there is always practicing. The more you practice the more you sound better. That pretty much explains it.

If you are wondering, I can play up to a high B above the scale and on a good day can reach a double high D, Eb, and E and I have 6 years on a trumpet.