@@whugheswhughes98144 - Thanks. This one was over 3 years ago - among the first few I made. Certainly the video quality has since improved, and I hope the presentation has too! ;-)
Hi Bryan! How do you not overblow, but still practice your full dynamic range? You always say to not overblow, but you need to use a higher quantity of air to play loud, right?
It does take more air to play louder. However, the difference is less than we tend to think. For most players I encounter, the soft end of the dynamic range is what’s lacking. Regardless of that, on the loud end there’s a sweet spot - the best balance of loudness and sound quality tends to occur at about 75-80% of what we perceive to be the loudest we can play by effort. You might also think of it as the point where it shifts from loud “sound” to a loud “noise”. If we recalibrate our dynamics by making that 80ish % the loudest we play, and work on developing our soft playing then we have plenty of dynamic contrast and less effort used, better sound quality across that dynamic range, and consequently less likelihood of overblowing. …and, in a situation where a director really wants more from us, we can have some more to give.
First of all I love these videos! I feel great benefits of soft playing, but I sometimes loose my ability to play loud after practicing soft exercises. It feels like I can't get any air through my aperture (especially in the upper register). It might be that I'm pinching when playing softly. Do you have any tips or ideas about this?
Hi Vidar. Thanks for watching, I’m glad you’re enjoying the vids. It’s hard to say exactly what’s happening without seeing you play. However, generally my advice is to try and relax into whatever you’re practicing. That’s my overall goal when I’m working on something - not only to play what’s required of me technically, but to have it down well enough that I can relax, play easily, and enjoy the music I’m a part of. More specifically, with regard to dynamics, practice moving from soft to loud and vice versa, as I demonstrated in the video. Find your current limits then work on extending them. If you’re concerned that you’re pinching, then rewatch some of the other letters too - A for Air, B for Breathing and G for Grip may help in particular. Decent breath, good support and not overblowing are usually a big help, but habitual strong arming is a factor for many players, myself included!
I’ll be back to producing new videos in a few weeks. I’ll be sure to address endurance in one of them. In the meantime, check out “K for Kinesthesia” and #TrumpetProTips E08 - they should be helpful to you.
Thanks for the videos Bryan, quick question. I started playing trumpet one month ago, once per week with an instructor and then I practice on my own 3 to 4 time per week , 1:30hs aprox. I noticed that sometimes my lower lips folds behind my teeth when I go into higher notes, which excersive would you recommend me? Thanks again
If you’ve only been playing for a month, just focus on whatever your instructor is setting for you. It’s still very new. Your muscles and coordination will take time to develop. Try to practice every day. It will speed up the process.
So, my wind orchestra conductor wants more volume for a fortissimo, but then complains about too much razz. Any tips for increasing body (resonance?) of sound without getting an excessively brassy edge, if that makes sense?
Sitting up straight, keeping your chin reasonably up so your throat isn’t constricted, and not gripping your arms to the side of your chest all help. Maybe we’ll do P for Posture in a few weeks! Keeping the bell out of the stand also gives your sound a chance to project. If you play with a downward angle, try to play to one side of the stand instead. The 80% volume limit is a rule of thumb, but generally allows you to maintain a loud sound while keeping it broad, beyond there is first where the “razz” comes followed shortly by the noise - not really any louder and lacking in projection.
Questions about this video? Other feedback? Let's hear it, folks!
Bryan Davis - Airflow Music I thank you and I also thank you for your fine videos ...much appreciated .
Great lessons as always. But check your focus and probably turn off autofocus. This video was focused on your background! ;-)
@@whugheswhughes98144 - Thanks. This one was over 3 years ago - among the first few I made. Certainly the video quality has since improved, and I hope the presentation has too! ;-)
@@AirflowMusicNYC I thought they were great back then as well as now! Thanks again for all of the great vids!
Thanks for the great advices you provide us on this channel. You have a very interesting approach to this matter.
Hi Bryan! How do you not overblow, but still practice your full dynamic range? You always say to not overblow, but you need to use a higher quantity of air to play loud, right?
It does take more air to play louder. However, the difference is less than we tend to think. For most players I encounter, the soft end of the dynamic range is what’s lacking.
Regardless of that, on the loud end there’s a sweet spot - the best balance of loudness and sound quality tends to occur at about 75-80% of what we perceive to be the loudest we can play by effort. You might also think of it as the point where it shifts from loud “sound” to a loud “noise”. If we recalibrate our dynamics by making that 80ish % the loudest we play, and work on developing our soft playing then we have plenty of dynamic contrast and less effort used, better sound quality across that dynamic range, and consequently less likelihood of overblowing.
…and, in a situation where a director really wants more from us, we can have some more to give.
First of all I love these videos! I feel great benefits of soft playing, but I sometimes loose my ability to play loud after practicing soft exercises. It feels like I can't get any air through my aperture (especially in the upper register). It might be that I'm pinching when playing softly. Do you have any tips or ideas about this?
Hi Vidar. Thanks for watching, I’m glad you’re enjoying the vids. It’s hard to say exactly what’s happening without seeing you play. However, generally my advice is to try and relax into whatever you’re practicing. That’s my overall goal when I’m working on something - not only to play what’s required of me technically, but to have it down well enough that I can relax, play easily, and enjoy the music I’m a part of.
More specifically, with regard to dynamics, practice moving from soft to loud and vice versa, as I demonstrated in the video. Find your current limits then work on extending them. If you’re concerned that you’re pinching, then rewatch some of the other letters too - A for Air, B for Breathing and G for Grip may help in particular. Decent breath, good support and not overblowing are usually a big help, but habitual strong arming is a factor for many players, myself included!
Hello Bryan, your videos are awesome it really helped me a lot. I would like to ask on tips about improving endurance.
Thank you
I’ll be back to producing new videos in a few weeks. I’ll be sure to address endurance in one of them. In the meantime, check out “K for Kinesthesia” and #TrumpetProTips E08 - they should be helpful to you.
Could you please make a video on Double & Triple tounging .? Thank you
It’s on the list! Thanks for watching.
Bryan Davis - Airflow Music I want to say thank you so much for the videos, that are helpful and thought provoking.
I appreciate you saying so. You’re very welcome!
Thanks for the videos Bryan, quick question. I started playing trumpet one month ago, once per week with an instructor and then I practice on my own 3 to 4 time per week , 1:30hs aprox. I noticed that sometimes my lower lips folds behind my teeth when I go into higher notes, which excersive would you recommend me? Thanks again
If you’ve only been playing for a month, just focus on whatever your instructor is setting for you. It’s still very new. Your muscles and coordination will take time to develop. Try to practice every day. It will speed up the process.
Thanks @@AirflowMusicNYC
Does what you say equally apply to larger brass instruments such as trombone.?
Basically, yes. The balance is, of course, a little different but the overall approach is the same.
So, my wind orchestra conductor wants more volume for a fortissimo, but then complains about too much razz. Any tips for increasing body (resonance?) of sound without getting an excessively brassy edge, if that makes sense?
Sitting up straight, keeping your chin reasonably up so your throat isn’t constricted, and not gripping your arms to the side of your chest all help. Maybe we’ll do P for Posture in a few weeks! Keeping the bell out of the stand also gives your sound a chance to project. If you play with a downward angle, try to play to one side of the stand instead.
The 80% volume limit is a rule of thumb, but generally allows you to maintain a loud sound while keeping it broad, beyond there is first where the “razz” comes followed shortly by the noise - not really any louder and lacking in projection.
Some good things to keep aware of there, many thanks. I could well have been getting tense from trying to blow too hard.