Third week of SA

I've been struck with doubt after reading some posts by embouchure specialist Clint 'Pops' McLaughlin. He advocates not using pedals and that they may do more harm than good. I haven't formed an opinion yet but am going to look at some more approaches. It is confusing when there are so many approaches and each promises the world as far as trumpet technique goes.

This week i had a really good day where i was able to play without any tension in the throat. Everything felt easy and it was a joy playing. I want to be able to replicate that feeling all the time.

I seem to be stuck at E above high C. Try as i might i just can't seem to play that F at this stage.

This week includes Clarke exercises and the book hasn't arrive yet so it may take me longer before i move on.

See you soon,

Rob Lane.

Pencil Exercise week four

Just finished the fourth week of the pencil exercise on 1:30 minutes and at the start of the week it really burnt the facial muscles but by the end i felt as if i could go further which is good because that is where i am going. This week is 2 minutes and this is the half way mark as i will be going up to 4 minutes maximum.

I feel as if it is helping my endurance and range slowly. but i also wonder if i am giving my chops enough rest time. Though i will press on and when i have reached 4 min i will look at more heavy lifting with weights on the pencil but will only do every other day.

CU next week
Rob

Second week of SA

This second week is complete and i think i am making progress. My high notes sound clearer, especially after i started to play number 2 exercise the correct way [big thanks to posters on the trumpet forum]. I managed to get a clear E above high C but all my attempts above this came out air and trumpet static. Oh well i'm in training and hopefully they will appear.

The thing i had difficulty with was tonguing the pedal notes in the number 2 exercise.

Still trying to steal time for trumpet practice. See you next week

Pencil Exercise week three

Well the past week has defintiely been more of a struggle holding the chopstick for a minute. I realised that because i was using a wooden chopstick that is heavier and has a smaller diameter than a pencil that my lips were being worked too hard. The end of the chopstick with its small diameter was digging into my lips. I fixed this with some duct tape wound around the end so that it equals the standard pencil diameter.

This week i will be holding the pencil for 1:30 seconds for three sessions with a 5 minutes break between each.

First week of Systematic Approach to daily Practice

I've completed the first week of Claude Gordon's method. It is a difficult exercise in that you are only required to play long notes until your stomache shakes. I found the first exercise good in that it goes down into the pedal register and really relaxes the embouchure. However, the second exercise has you play as high and as long as you can. I seemed to be abloe to get an Eb above the staff on most nights, sometimes a rough F. I am looking forward to the second week just because you can play more that one note in sucession.

I think this last week has increased my stamina and tone but has taxed my flexibility. I am wondering which method out of Carusso and Gorden would be best?

Also i would like to incorperate the SA so that it doesn't take up extra time in my routine.

The second week: the Pencil Exercise

Well I've been doing the Pencil Exercise for a week now. 30 seconds on, flapping lips for 30 seconds *3. Tonight i extend for 60 seconds each time. I'm actually using a chopstick which is about the same weight as a pencil but has a smaller diameter at the end. It is a little bit taxing but i am not really struggling with the weight. I think it is worthwhile but can't be sure how much it is actually building up the muscles as i have also started Claude Gordon's Systematic Approach.

I suppose I'll find out if 30 seconds extra make a difference. It is also good to build the muscles of the embouchure slowly.

I'll let you know how things are progressing in another week.

Arrived today

Well my copy of Claude Gordon Systematic Approach to Daily Practice arrived today. I'm going to read the introduction and background information that is posted on the dedicated forum at Trumpet Herald. I will start today and give weakly updates on a Friday to let you know how i'm going. I've got to say that i'm a little apprehensive about beginning the course as the pedals look difficult to start from. I think i'm ok going down from them. I will also let you know every Monday how i'm going with the Pencil exercise.

Pencil exercise

I started the pencil exercise today. The corners of my mouth feel a little sore so it must be doing something. Anyway i am following these rule i got from a post by Eric Bolvin on the Trumpet Herald forums.

"I've developed a number of techniques for practice that involve the pencil exercise. You should follow the instructions implicitly.
Guidelines:
1. Always practice the pencil exercise at the very end of the day. At this point you have no more playing responsibilites. I usually do it before going to bed.
2. Always follow the pencil ex with a session of lip flapping, at least 30 seconds. Cupping your hands around your face will help to get the flap going.
3. Play by the rules. Hold the pencil for one minute ONLY for at least two weeks. It doesn't matter that you can hold the pencil for ten minutes. This is not a competition.
4. Increase your time to two minutes and then three minutes. If you're hurting, then limit your time. Although the facial area is muscle, it's muscle that is in balance and can not grow much.

Use these guidelines to help you with the pencil exercise and you might see some favorable results in your playing.
If you don't see results, then you've learned something and you can apply it to your teaching,
_________________
Eric Bolvin