The MDAS system uses two apertures. One aperture creates sound and the other aperture changes the pitch of the sound. The aperture which produces sound works in a very normal trumpet playing way. When you blow through a space between your lips they vibrate and you get sound. That's why I call it the "sound" aperture. You can see it at 10:04. If you can "buzz" your lips like a bee you are blowing through a sound aperture.
Now in normal trumpet playing the muscles of the lips and face tighten and loosen changing the size of that aperture, and therefore the size of the vibration. A tense aperture gives a smaller vibration and higher notes. A loose or relaxed aperture gives a bigger vibration and lower notes. Watch at 8:39.
But I don't use my lips to make the vibration smaller and bigger. INSTEAD I use an area of my lower lip to funnel air through a gap in my teeth with a FFFFFFFFF sound. You can see the gap at 10:07. This can give me a much much smaller aperture with less effort.
This hole/gap/aperture sits behind the vibrating lips (or sound aperture) and I can change how big or small it is in a similar way to saying "FAR FAR FAR FAR". The "F" gives me a smaller gap so smaller air stream and the "AR" gives me a bigger gap so a bigger air stream.
The small air stream will hit my lips and vibrate high. The bigger thicker air stream will hit my lips and vibrate low.
So, the top lip touches (or almost touches) the lower lip for the sound aperture (10:04), and slightly behind that, my lower lip opens and closes against my top teeth (FAR FAR FAR) to change the size of the space and therefore the frequency/pitch. That's why it's called a frequency aperture (10:07).
Watch the sequence from 10:04-10:07 and you'll see them both. And if you can buzz your lips and say FAR FAR FAR at the same time you'll be using a version of MDAS!! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE AND HIT THE LIKE BUTTON IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO. THANKS TP
Mr. Mayes, I’ve been playing trumpet for 46 years now. I tried your upper register suggestion and hit G and A over high C WITH EASE and zero pressure! I am eternally grateful to you for the simplicity of your revelation but outraged that no one has ever explained the HOW TO before. Thanks to you now I understand what Adam Rapa and others were trying to explain in their videos. THANK YOU!! 🎺
Incredible insight 😊can’t wait to experiment further in my practice routine although as an old cornet player such high range is rarely required but I would love to improve my upper register 🎶🎶🎺🎺✊
@@barackdrinksWD40It might be impossible for you. You don’t have my embouchure or technique. Larry Meregillano can play a high C with his trumpet laying in the palm of his head. Perhaps you should adjust your mindset.
@@tyrmorris8155 No, i've heard from my private lessons teacher that playing with *no* pressure is impossible without it sounding horrible. You at least used some pressure. I can get up to about a dub g or higher using about the same amount of pressure that i normally use for my mid range using this technique. No pressure is impossible.
I visited Paul today for a lesson and when I came in I barely could hit a G. after warming up (Paul’ warm up) Paul spent few minutes analysing my mouth and teeth trying to find any good channel then let’s say after 10 minutes I was able to hit a double C and an E. Back home after few hours I took my pocket trumpet (as it’s the only option I got) to see if it was just a dream or I could still play high notes.. well I was able to hit a F above the double C. So in few words the system does work!! Thanks again Paul for sharing your expertise.
Was a pleasure to meet you today and you're definitely now on the right track! Just to clarify, you played high C up to double high F and something tells me you haven't finished there!! Best, TP
As someone that has always struggled with upper register I just watched this, picked up my horn without warming up and played clearly up to F above top C. Mind blown..... Gonna be experimenting with this....
This is in response to someone below who asked for more details. I wasn’t sure what the Prof meant either, but I played around with it and this is what I got: there is an inner aperture that is created between the lower lip and the upper teeth. An overly simplistic approach is to make the FFFFF sound. The point here is making a concentrated airstream that comes out of this inner aperture. I am not blessed w the space between my two middle teeth, but was still able to get a concentrated airstream, formed by my lower lip and upper teeth. A few more tips that I figured out were (1) helps to have a very slight rolling in of the lower lip, (2) the upper teeth touch only the edge of the lower lip - not the meaty part (in other words, if bringing the teeth together, you would be biting just a sliver of the inside of the lower lip and not contact with the main meaty portion of the lower lip) - so don’t roll in too much and (3) bringing in corners ever so slightly which pushes middle of the lower lip out a tad which creates the aperture. This creates the inner aperture. Then the outer “standard/regular” aperture is formed between the two lips which is simply making sure the upper lip gets in the way of the inner aperture air stream. This happens fairly naturally, but may require the slightest downward push of the upper lip. The beautiful thing I found is that because the lower lip is pressing up into the upper teeth (not the upper lip), the upper lip stays so much more relaxed and independently vibrating with great resonance. The above basically gets your pre- playing set up. Once you start playing, since everything is in place, for me mechanically it simplifies down to just be sure as you’re ascending that you feel the lower lip pressing up into the upper teeth and upper lip is staying free and relaxed. It does help some for me to feel the majority of the upward pressure from lower lip coming on either side of the “inner aperture” - if I press too hard at the aperture itself, it seems to close it down too much. For me, the above mechanical thoughts above get me about 80% of the way there and the last mysterious 20% is achieved by hearing in my head and trying to duplicate the tone of Arturo Sandoval. He has such a huge, resonant sound w immediate effortless response. Adam Rapa and James Morrison also do it for me. So once mechanically you have everything in place (after a few days), really let that sound concept take over. I think every once in a while, while playing, a mechanical thought may pop in which I think is fine, but the majority of your mental capacity should be focused, once everything is in place mechanically, on that sound concept. I know that people are going to rag on me because of needing to get the 80% mechanically in place first, but those are the people who already naturally have their mechanics 80% in place so literally all they have to think about is the sound concept - most of us normal people are not 80% of the way there, so no matter how good your sound concept, your playing ceiling is going to be very low without improving the mechanics. These people could actually be more helpful if they just admitted that mechanically they really don’t know how they’re producing the beautiful sound they do; and more importantly that the vast majority of us are not there, so will not benefit from sound concept only advice. In just a few days the above has worked wonders for me. For 40 years I’ve struggled above the staff and in just a few days the above has me finally easily playing to high C - who knows where I’ll be in a few months.
Thanks Chris. This information will certainly help some players of a certain type. My intention was simply to share the concept and to show players how I play personally, and how I believe all great high note players do it. This system has a 100% success rate for those who are suited to it physiologically: which is unlike any other system. The biggest frustration for me is that most players don't watch the entire video and therefore don't understand certain aspects of it. Many of the questions and comments so far prove that! The biggest complement to my system is your final paragraph. It's just a shame it's taken pedagogy that long to get there! All best, TP
Really grateful for taking the time to write down and share your observations and thoughts on the mechanics. For a beginner like myself, I hope this avoids years of frustration and can't thank you enough.
@chrismartinez8414 and @TheTrumpetProf, do you have any advice for isolating the airstream in the inner aperture to concentrate it through the space between the upper teeth? When I attempt to implement this method it feels like a large amount of air is just redirected and escapes through the space between the canines and the incisors, rather than being forced through the smaller space between the upper teeth
This has appeared randomly on my feed while I am away on holiday without my trumpet! I’m 70, played for 60 years as a good amateur and am still big band competent but never knew about this technique! I cannot wait to get home and start practicing.
Dear Paul, thank you for your contributions and your great patience towards the questioners; personally, I think you make excellent and insightful arguments - I find it hard to understand why some people ask the same questions over and over again, as if they haven't actually watched your videos. It's a shame that I only came across your posts so late (6 weeks ago) and purely by chance. I have been interested in this subject for a long time and have tried out many schools and tricks to improve my playing in higher registers. I am now 75 years old, not a full professional on the trumpet, but a doctor and music therapist - but the sound and the creative possibilities on the trumpet have always fascinated me. The only instrument I learnt to play very well as a child was the recorder. I still enjoy playing it and have tried all my life to transfer its lightness and liveliness to the trumpet. In the comments and considerations, the question repeatedly arises as to whether some wind players would not do well to have suitable gaps built into their dentures. I agree that this would need to be carefully considered and would rarely be a good idea. If it seems sensible in exceptional cases, here is a basic consideration: If dental repairs are necessary in a wind denture and small spaces are acceptable without visual or technical disadvantages, it would be interesting to see if a prognostic statement can be made about the optimal size for the spaces. My opinion on this in a later comment. Best regards Wolfgang
Thanks so much! I really want to march DCI but I play a woodwind and I’m self teaching myself the trumpet. Im 14 and I think that I’ll be able to learn enough of marching and playing if I start now
You're right. I'm 83, played 4th trumpet with the Johnny Hall big band as a teenager around the American airbases in the late 50s and wish you'd told me this then, though most 4th trumpet parts rarely went over F at the top of the stave. Went on to play tenor sax with Nottingham University Big Band (q.v. "Teamesville" on Spotify). Bought a trumpet a couple of years ago, but found range a problem - but (and it's 11 p.m.) I've already hit top C on my mouthpiece but got to wait until the house is empty tomorrow to make it happen (and possibly upward) on my horn. Thank you Prof. I wrote this before looking at other comments (which I have just done now) and am looking forward to getting my 5 year old grandson to start saying M into a C cup mouthpiece. Probably his mother won't approve, but how did Charlie Turner (who I met, incidentally, on a flight from Johannesburg to Buenos Aires for the Frank Sinatra final tour) start?
Certainly makes sense. I’ve been playing/teaching for over 50 years. Never been super high comfortably, but about 10 years back started getting around f-g over high c without thinking.
Thanks Paul. Nice little reminder of how to play with ease again, I find myself getting bogged down in all sorts of different ideas and often forget the basics every now and again. This video has been a good reset for me. Hopefully catch you for a pint soon! W
OMG im so gratefull. Ive been playing trumpet for 10 years and could play to f on top of the staff with alot of efort. I got big overbite and no one could tell me why i just cant go higher. I was in music school i had best private lessons and everyone wanted to help me but no one could. Some was saying im not practiceing enough (i was practiceing 3-5 hours a day every single day) some said i had stage fright (but i had no stage fright in my ammateur band when i didnt had to play high). My best teacher showed me everything he could, but he just had No overbite so he didnt knew whats problem. Yesterday i watched this video and today IN JUST ONE DAY im playing most jazz standards i could play shifted up an octave!!! Its not perfect like it was in lower octave but im not even tired!! This is not a problem since i was doing big emboshure changes many many times before i will get there in No time. At the moment it feels like very minor change that makes a huge diference. THANK YOU!!!
Before you said that you no longer relied on tongue position as the primary means of changing pitch, leaving me to puzzle out what you meant. I assumed that it had something to do with the aperture. Thanks for stating it so clearly!
Yes, of course, using what you have is an excellent shortcut to hit the target faster and better, with less effort, less lost of time and furthermore it is more natural and comfortable.
Such a fine and illustrative explanation of the dynamics. Thank you for focussing on the mechanics of playing. I had naturally stumbled upon some elements of this method and to have you explain it so clearly really helps in formalising my own understanding and expanding on my current capacity. Eternally grateful.
Rolling the red part of the lips inward is what you are really talking about. I love how you talk about trying to expand the range of the trumpet player. I try not to call it high not playing. More like the command of the horn itself, with the proper embouchure formation you will have great command of the horn.
First of all, it's great to see you Paul posting this video. I can't wait to give it a try. Thank you again for everything you do. Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day. 👍🏻🎺🎺
I am sincerely amazed! This explanation is incredebly clear, and just after watching your video i could hit an F aboce high C with ease! I would love to see more content talking about tips on how to have better control with this technique.
Interesting way to get the inner lip vibrating, a la Pops McLaughlin. I like that it forces a realignment of the (bottom) jaw to accommodate moving air deliberately under the top teeth instead of to the back of the top teeth. This will really help students with long upper teeth and short upper lip. I'd wager some players already do something like this naturally, like Tine Thing Helseth. She has long teeth and a short upper lip, but looks so natural when playing. It's her setup because it's her unique teeth and lip formation. In fact she says she can't really free buzz because it is really different than how she plays.
Thanks for your comment. I agree. And I'd argue that the majority (if not all) of the best and most successful players already do this. Like I said in the video, I think it is the fundamental reason why the great players have incredible range and efficiency. The biggest problem is those players don't realize that's fundamentally how they do it. Young (and old!) players wanting to improve gravitate towards the big name players for advice and are then taken down the path of convention and frustration. Most have good advice to give on many areas of trumpet playing but the high note problem exists because the real solution isn't understood. . . . until now!! TP
Fantastic! Great to see you back Paul! Admittedly I’m not an ‘advanced’ player by any means, I’m a ‘come-back’ player in my early 50s with limited natural ability, but I have valued and really enjoyed your videos very much. Really hope you post many more words of wisdom over the weeks and months ahead 👍🎺❤️
Im a natural proffesional player being able to play up to high g above the staff daily. Although with tension in my body and shops if playing loudly. I actually think i have been using some variation of these since i was little (around 15). And this video really explained what is happening, i will experiment more with this!
Just playing high is not a problem. Playing high and loud and with good articulation is a problem though. If you can play high G with a volume that doesn't cut through the band, it's pretty much useless (unless it's for your personal satisfaction). I still haven't solve that.
Just playing high IS a problem for most players and it always has been. A high G which doesn't cut through the band is no use if you want to play lead trumpet but really important if you want to play piccolo trumpet. If you want to do both you need to know how. But it all starts with actually generating the frequency. In my view it doesn't matter if that's loud, soft, thin or big, it will give you something to work with. Thanks for your comment. TP
Hi. Yes I have!! In fact I refer to it as a way to increase lip speed in this video. The point here is that you should start with the aperture and work from there. It is my simplistic view that faster air doesn't create higher pitch, it creates louder notes. TP
Thanks for such a well presented and thought-provoking video. After watching it I tried to implement this technique on my trombone and about 20 seconds later played (and held) a double-high concert Bb. I then took out my phone to video record myself, but wasn't able to repeat the act. I hope to get the knack of it, but am also wondering how applicable this is to trombonists, as we need a slightly larger aperture than trumpeters?
If you've done it once it means you can do it! It might only happen 1 in every 100 attempts but you know it's in there somewhere so keep going with it! If we think of a brass instrument as one separate instrument we are simply trying to create very high frequency down to very low frequency. For me that has nothing to do with actually playing the instrument. It's simply finding a technique or method to get the lips moving at extreme speeds. So yes, this can work for other brass instruments. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I greatly appreciate you posting all this information out here for free. This video has been quite a revelation for me and has instantly helped me in my work as a professional trombonist. The funny thing is, I think I used to intuitively play this way when I was younger, but I seem to have gone astray by focusing too much on firm corners and embouchure strength. Sometimes so-called “knowledge“ or doing things “correctly” can lead you down the wrong path. But thank you for sharing your discoveries. Higher and fuller notes with less effort, better endurance and faster recovery all seem to prove that I’m on the right track.
I make this observation: "The primary mechanism by which wind instruments, including brass instruments, achieve different pitches is by altering the effective length of the resonating tube. This change in length directly and consistently corresponds to changes in pitch, following the principles of physics. In essence, whether it's a traditional brass instrument like a trumpet or a mechanical device, the fundamental principle is the same: changing the length of the resonating tube or cavity is the primary mechanism for producing different pitches. This physical adjustment in length is what enables the instrument to achieve its pitch range." i.e. a machine does all this without any of this.
Agreed. But we are not simply dealing with changing pitch or frequency. That's very easy to do on any brass instrument. The challenge is, and has always been, high register trumpet playing and if it was that easy everyone would be doing it. I'm offering and sharing a way to do it which has 100% success rate for those who fit the physiological parameters (which happens to be the majority). I personally don't know of a method or system with this success rate. TP
Fascinating subject. I am a retired french hornist and wonder if you have diacussed this with vornists? I jave only ever heard a handful of hornists who truly had an unlimited high range. My own personal feeling is that is a sort of physical limit to the top, like being blocked. I had the money notes, and never experienced any physical difficulty playing high notes, but the limit was unmovable.
This is technique is ideal for horn players. For me, it's nothing to do with "the instrument" it's simply a way to get lips vibrating faster. The lips don't care which instrument they're attached to! I agree there will always be a limit, but most players don't really know how they do it, and without that knowledge they're trying to fix the whole engine and not the tiny component which is limiting they're potential. Thank you for your comment. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf when I consciously applied these points I realized I have developed some similar techniques subconsciously. I recognize the role of the teeth and bottom lip working together, but I can't seem to get my range to expand upwards like you describe. Mental blocks are the hard part for me. I'm thinking this is how Philip Farkas could play so high while his horn was resting on the piano.
@@jamesgage5418 I believe most great high note players use a form of this but without knowing. That's no good for those who need the help! And those who do use it naturally could probably enhance it even more if they actually knew what they were doing. Conventional techniques actually get in the way of it. Funnily enough I gave a consultation to a pro horn player (member of a top European symphony orchestra) yesterday and in less than 5 minutes he played a succession of 15 totally effortless F's above high C. TP
Mr. Mayes, thank you for your work in pushing the limits of our understanding of brass playing! I had a genuine question, do you ever pracitce to merging of the two systems? I find it great to have access to the range but ability to switch between two systems of hertz production to be an interesting playing method. Is the HFA the "concert" apeture? Do you continuously switch between the two? I'm extremely curious, thank you!
Hi. MDAS is only one system which uses two apertures so there is no switching between the two. It is possible to switch but the whole point of the frequency aperture is that it is THE most efficient way to control pitch. Hope that helps. This video has attracted so much interest I'll make a follow up video addressing the comments so many thanks for yours. TP
I really like the explanation for this. One thing I noticed is that one of your upper front teeth is ahead of the other. This seems to be a common trait among those that can play high along with the proper muscle structure and strength. Because of these traits, many will not be able to play into the range above D and E. I have found that it really takes experimenting with nuance adjustments to increase the range. Also, just hitting a note is not really enough when playing lead trumpet, as you really need to be able to "drill" these out in loud, commanding fashion. Being able to hit the note is definitely the first step though. I think you video is a great explanation for what goes into playing higher and many will benefit from this. Thank you for doing this video - nice job!
Hi Steve. Many thanks for your message. My right central incisor does sit "out" and it does give me another HFA option but I don't really make use of it. The way you can tell is the angle of my trumpet. To maximize the benefit I would need to direct the air stream downward to keep the gap open and avoid blocking it off with my lower lip which is very fleshy. I can use it if I want to, but I have multiple choices when it comes to HFA and it isn't the most efficient for me. Playing lead or any type of high and loud playing, requires a more open aperture. It is about learning to control and manipulate the HFA in a very specific way which is a big part of my system. I'll share more in future videos. TP
I play most brass instruments and I have been playing tuba mostly because my band needs it most but I also volunteered to play a church song on my trumpet. Tuba rarely ever needs anything close to a tight aperture. So after getting used to tuba I could barely play high notes on my trumpet. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you for this demonstration. When doing flexibility, do the embouchures change, and if so, approximately at which pitch? Assuming it’s approximate to accommodate all players and their different abilities.
Hi. My frequency aperture (HFA) changes but not my sound aperture. You're right that it will depend on the player. Balancing the way we control pitch requires experimentation and I'll do a video about it soon. Many thanks. TP
I'm between mpc's at the moment. I made another slight change to my set-up and am using a 3C replica I picked up online for £8! I'll look at AR, Monette and GR soon but my general advice is always to go for the smallest diameter mpc which gives you the best sound.TP
HI Mr. Mayes, thank you for all your videos. Making a small aperture when you have a protruded top lip like me is not easy! Can you give some advice ? Thank you in advance.
Thanks, it's great to be back. If you are suited to MDAS you could achieve the same range as playing the trumpet! It might not sound as nice on the flugel but in the case of this video, the frequency is determined by the size of the aperture and nothing else. TP
I'm curious how you're decreasing the size of that frequency aperture, i.e., what you're doing to make your lower lip move up in your case. Is your jaw moving closed to make that change happen? Thanks for a very interesting concept!
Hi. There are numerous ways to close down the frequency aperture and the jaw is one of them. This video has attracted so much attention I'll do a follow up video and address some of these points so thanks for the comment. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf that would be great, thanks! Glad that you're making videos again, I stumbled upon your older ones last year after I picked up my horn after many years away from it, they've been very helpful.
Hello Paul and thank you for the videos. Question about setting the lips (or embouchure), just before placing the mouthpiece. When setting up the "M" of the lips, is there any unfurling involved with that at all? I ask because I'm reading about an "aperture tunnel" being formed by doing this, that is supposed to be helpful for range & endurance. Thanks & be well!!
Hi. I can't see how simply forming an aperture tunnel with the lips alone can be helpful to play high UNLESS something else (like an inner aperture) is in play. The inner area of the lip vibrates slower than the outer area so it makes more sense to use the dry area of the lips to create the vibration. Saying that - if it works, use it! TP
Hi Professor. Thanks for the reply. So are we saying that unfurling causes the outer area of the lips not to vibrate as much because by unfurling they are moved away from the airflow, & thus the air is moving past the inner lips (& not the outer lips), that don't vibrate as much as the outer lips? With that, are we saying that if we simply did an "m" with our lips, the air would move past the outer lips for the best & faster vibration? Along with that, do you still advocate wetting the lips, even forming the "M"? THANKS!!
Wow, you had me a bit on edge. After 64 years of playing (began at age 9 in March of 1960) it had me wondering what this "new" technique was...I discovered it on my own about 40 years ago; a lot of us do it without realizing it. No substitute for a sensible warmup and not over-playing as we age.
I agree with what you say, and as I said in the video, I believe it is what gives the great trumpet players there range and efficiency. It's "new" because it's not taught. There is no system or method for a player to learn it . . . . . .but there will be very soon! "No substitute for a sensible warmup and not over-playing as we age." That's some of the best advice I've heard for a very long time. Thank you for your comment. TP
Confused by "blow the apperture closed", do you mean to start blowing more open, and bring the lips together to find the higher frequencies? Or maybe to resist the apperture being opened by the air? Thanks
This still seems confusing. It obviously works very well for you but is there a way to describe how blowing brings the lips "together"? Intuitively it seems to do the opposite. I really appreciate your videos@@TheTrumpetProf
So interesting - but I have not got it rigth now, may be be I am prctising with any unknown basic error. What should be the steps in detail to practise? Please tell me, Paul, I am really interested in leaving c3 upwards easily. Thank you.
I think "blowing your lips closed" utilizes the tissue that is further back under the lips. This tissue is much softer than the outer portion of the lips and much more prone to faster vibration with less effort. The unfurling of the lips also exposes this inner area of the lips to become the vibrating surface AND can create a longer vibrating surface front to back for more volume?
Hi. For me, it is better to use the dry area of the lip to vibrate if you can, as it will create faster vibrations. It's difficult to produce a clear and resonant tone using the inner areas. TP
Does the type of mouthpiece have any effect on being able to play in the higher register? For example, is it easier to play a high C with a 3C verses a 7C? What mouthpiece are you using in your video? Thank you!
Yes, a shallower or narrower mpc will help you play higher but you may then be sacrificing sound or flexibility etc elsewhere. It also depends on the way you play. Really efficient players with effortless high range can play any note with any mouthpiece. I've made a video on mouthpiece choice and demonstrate going to double C on even the biggest deepest flugel mpc. I'm between mouthpieces right now after making a very small change to my set-up. The one in the video is actually a cheap mpc I bought online. I got a 3C, 5C and 7C for £18! They work fine. I put a Denis Wick booster on it but it works fine without. TP
I really like what you teach. But I'm confused some players say use air and don't push and Don't make emboushoure so tight. So I get confused. I will keep watching. And thanks for expertise and sharing.😂😂😊😊😊
If only the answer was a choice between the two! It depends on the way you play, the type of embouchure you have, the system you use, the shape of your teeth, your mouthpiece placement. . . .so many things. My high register tongue placement is lower behind the top teeth because of my Double Aperture System. At least there are options with articulation so experiment with articulating position and tip/blade tonguing. TP
Can this still be done if you don't have a gap in your teeth? Are the two apertures being used simultaneously or are you switching between them as you go up and down in register? If switching, at what point does the transition occur? If simultaneous, then you are only controlling the pitch ever with the inner aperture?
If you have no gaps or air channels anywhere then it's not possible to create a second aperture. But it's extremely rare for a player not to have something they can use. The apertures are used simultaneously. One aperture creates sound while the inner aperture changes frequency. If there's no outer aperture there's no sound. If there's no inner aperture, you have to change frequency/pitch with the the same aperture as you produce sound. All great players use two apertures. They might not realize they do but that's what gives them their technical ability, myself included. TP
Never mind, I see where you already answered that question. I was stuck at E above high C and after watching your video getting up to G. Looking forward to better sound and control as I settle in to the new setup. THANK YOU!
How important is the type of mouthpiece? I’ve been playing recreationally on and off for 55 years. Still using the original 1C, 3C and 7C Bach mouthpieces. Most professionals have very different looking ones. Can one get those super Cs with these types? Thanks!
I'm just starting with trumpet but i'm adult and I played piano and bass guitar before so limited range really put me off. I watched many videos on how to extend range but nothing worked. I was skeptical with this mdas system but gave it a try. It didn't worked after first 5 min but 3 days with 1.5h practice and I'm playing higher than ever before. Yesterday high C was hard for me. Today I played high G. Even one time I played double high C. And without using my lip muscles. My tone in upper register also is better. It is not that easy. For me the trick was to start with highest notes i can play. With teeth close to lower lip and good pressure of air I tried to play high. When after few tries I found some really high note I started to descend from that to low C and go back to that note.
Thanks for your comment and congratulations on working it out for yourself. Most players who have a lesson with me can do it in less than five minutes. Some in 5 seconds! I agree it is not easy to do but it makes playing high easy and that is my point. I haven't shared everything about this system for several reasons. Firstly it would take too long! It is a complex system which includes techniques, methods and exercises to develop effortless and efficient playing. I've been developing this for many years and put in a huge amount of work both with my own playing and with others. I'm sure players will appreciate and understand that I am not simply going to give away my life's work! I feel I have given enough away here for players to work with and to feel the benefits of the system but there is so much more to it. I am working on books, courses and a website to offer players a variety of ways to study MDAS in it's entirety so look out for that. TP
I'm a high school trumpeter that's struggling to play beyond high C above the staff and I think I have MDAS as my left front tooth is slanted with a small gap, but I can't seem to put that MDAS aperture together with my pitch aperture.
Yes it is possible and the principle is still the same. You are creating a narrow air channel through the teeth and using the tissue of the lips to vibrate it. Think outside the box. Forget conventional teaching. It's been around long enough to realize it doesn't hold the high note answer. Make sure you get your lower lip out the way of the gap. You'll need to lower it or roll it back or it will block the air stream TP
That's interesting... I've pretty much always been a natural "screamer", but I got my many limits, as everyone else. When people asked me how could I get so high, I've always answered that a high note is just... a note! Focus on it and your brain will work out the "settings". Let's say "focus more about what you want to come out from the trumpet and less about what gets in". But since the brain could become tricky towards the natural limit, well... I suppose you need to start relying and using that very nature! This video is actually a very good suggestion, so thank you!
I wish advice like this from rziaco would go away (just focus on the note and you mind will work it out). I played for 40 years trying to just let my mind work it out and it didn’t work. After a few days of trying to apply the concept in this video I am for the first time playing easily up to high C - who knows how high I’ll get w further application of this helpful concept.
@@chrismartinez8414 no no, mine wasn't an advice, I'm nobody to give advices... It's just a point of view, which is valuable as yours! Everybody must work and play as prefer! If I think too much, I play too little, but this works for me, you my friend, are entirely entitled to do whatever gets you happy!
When I started doing this, I started hitting high c consistently, but after about 30 mins, I’m back down to my normal range. Also it feels very unnatural, because I spend like 15 seconds setting up my new aperture, and somtimes it just doesn’t work, does this come with time?
You found it then you lost it! If you've done it once you can do it again. It probably will feel unnatural but that's compared with what you're doing right now. Remember, you don't have to use it 100% to begin with. My video is to make players aware of it and to explore it but the way you play now is always going to fight change. Continue to play as you do, but in your practice try to find high and you can eventually bring them together. I'll do more on this soon. TP
I have a split in my lips and a side that can generate very high. I thought I had to play in the center. Should i move my trumpet on the side for the high pitch and back for the lower one?
Thanks for your message. IMO it's absolute rubbish to say everyone should play in the centre. That's conventional technique and if you want to really get on with the trumpet, DON'T LISTEN TO CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE!!! My advice is to start high and work from there. Start with your high note (mouthpiece off-centre) and see how far you can drop. Then think of ways to turn your small aperture into a bigger one. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Thank you soo Soo much. My wife used to mock me that I can't play high, but since yesterday she have just been admiring me play very clear. As you explained, it's so easy with my natural set up. I don't press, it flows much easier and very high. I can't believe that it was just there the whole time
The MDAS system uses two apertures. One aperture creates sound and the other aperture changes the pitch of the sound.
The aperture which produces sound works in a very normal trumpet playing way. When you blow through a space between your lips they vibrate and you get sound. That's why I call it the "sound" aperture. You can see it at 10:04. If you can "buzz" your lips like a bee you are blowing through a sound aperture.
Now in normal trumpet playing the muscles of the lips and face tighten and loosen changing the size of that aperture, and therefore the size of the vibration.
A tense aperture gives a smaller vibration and higher notes. A loose or relaxed aperture gives a bigger vibration and lower notes. Watch at 8:39.
But I don't use my lips to make the vibration smaller and bigger. INSTEAD I use an area of my lower lip to funnel air through a gap in my teeth with a FFFFFFFFF sound. You can see the gap at 10:07. This can give me a much much smaller aperture with less effort.
This hole/gap/aperture sits behind the vibrating lips (or sound aperture) and I can change how big or small it is in a similar way to saying "FAR FAR FAR FAR". The "F" gives me a smaller gap so smaller air stream and the "AR" gives me a bigger gap so a bigger air stream.
The small air stream will hit my lips and vibrate high. The bigger thicker air stream will hit my lips and vibrate low.
So, the top lip touches (or almost touches) the lower lip for the sound aperture (10:04), and slightly behind that, my lower lip opens and closes against my top teeth (FAR FAR FAR) to change the size of the space and therefore the frequency/pitch. That's why it's called a frequency aperture (10:07).
Watch the sequence from 10:04-10:07 and you'll see them both. And if you can buzz your lips and say FAR FAR FAR at the same time you'll be using a version of MDAS!!
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE AND HIT THE LIKE BUTTON IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO. THANKS TP
Mr. Mayes, I’ve been playing trumpet for 46 years now. I tried your upper register suggestion and hit G and A over high C WITH EASE and zero pressure! I am eternally grateful to you for the simplicity of your revelation but outraged that no one has ever explained the HOW TO before. Thanks to you now I understand what Adam Rapa and others were trying to explain in their videos. THANK YOU!! 🎺
Incredible insight 😊can’t wait to experiment further in my practice routine although as an old cornet player such high range is rarely required but I would love to improve my upper register 🎶🎶🎺🎺✊
Hey that's also my last name 😂
no pressure is impossible
@@barackdrinksWD40It might be impossible for you. You don’t have my embouchure or technique. Larry Meregillano can play a high C with his trumpet laying in the palm of his head. Perhaps you should adjust your mindset.
@@tyrmorris8155 No, i've heard from my private lessons teacher that playing with *no* pressure is impossible without it sounding horrible. You at least used some pressure. I can get up to about a dub g or higher using about the same amount of pressure that i normally use for my mid range using this technique. No pressure is impossible.
I visited Paul today for a lesson and when I came in I barely could hit a G. after warming up (Paul’ warm up) Paul spent few minutes analysing my mouth and teeth trying to find any good channel then let’s say after 10 minutes I was able to hit a double C and an E. Back home after few hours I took my pocket trumpet (as it’s the only option I got) to see if it was just a dream or I could still play high notes.. well I was able to hit a F above the double C. So in few words the system does work!! Thanks again Paul for sharing your expertise.
Was a pleasure to meet you today and you're definitely now on the right track! Just to clarify, you played high C up to double high F and something tells me you haven't finished there!! Best, TP
As someone that has always struggled with upper register I just watched this, picked up my horn without warming up and played clearly up to F above top C. Mind blown..... Gonna be experimenting with this....
Brilliant. Well done. Huge potential! TP
good for you
This is in response to someone below who asked for more details. I wasn’t sure what the Prof meant either, but I played around with it and this is what I got: there is an inner aperture that is created between the lower lip and the upper teeth. An overly simplistic approach is to make the FFFFF sound. The point here is making a concentrated airstream that comes out of this inner aperture. I am not blessed w the space between my two middle teeth, but was still able to get a concentrated airstream, formed by my lower lip and upper teeth. A few more tips that I figured out were (1) helps to have a very slight rolling in of the lower lip, (2) the upper teeth touch only the edge of the lower lip - not the meaty part (in other words, if bringing the teeth together, you would be biting just a sliver of the inside of the lower lip and not contact with the main meaty portion of the lower lip) - so don’t roll in too much and (3) bringing in corners ever so slightly which pushes middle of the lower lip out a tad which creates the aperture. This creates the inner aperture.
Then the outer “standard/regular” aperture is formed between the two lips which is simply making sure the upper lip gets in the way of the inner aperture air stream. This happens fairly naturally, but may require the slightest downward push of the upper lip. The beautiful thing I found is that because the lower lip is pressing up into the upper teeth (not the upper lip), the upper lip stays so much more relaxed and independently vibrating with great resonance.
The above basically gets your pre- playing set up. Once you start playing, since everything is in place, for me mechanically it simplifies down to just be sure as you’re ascending that you feel the lower lip pressing up into the upper teeth and upper lip is staying free and relaxed. It does help some for me to feel the majority of the upward pressure from lower lip coming on either side of the “inner aperture” - if I press too hard at the aperture itself, it seems to close it down too much.
For me, the above mechanical thoughts above get me about 80% of the way there and the last mysterious 20% is achieved by hearing in my head and trying to duplicate the tone of Arturo Sandoval. He has such a huge, resonant sound w immediate effortless response. Adam Rapa and James Morrison also do it for me. So once mechanically you have everything in place (after a few days), really let that sound concept take over. I think every once in a while, while playing, a mechanical thought may pop in which I think is fine, but the majority of your mental capacity should be focused, once everything is in place mechanically, on that sound concept.
I know that people are going to rag on me because of needing to get the 80% mechanically in place first, but those are the people who already naturally have their mechanics 80% in place so literally all they have to think about is the sound concept - most of us normal people are not 80% of the way there, so no matter how good your sound concept, your playing ceiling is going to be very low without improving the mechanics. These people could actually be more helpful if they just admitted that mechanically they really don’t know how they’re producing the beautiful sound they do; and more importantly that the vast majority of us are not there, so will not benefit from sound concept only advice.
In just a few days the above has worked wonders for me. For 40 years I’ve struggled above the staff and in just a few days the above has me finally easily playing to high C - who knows where I’ll be in a few months.
Thanks Chris. This information will certainly help some players of a certain type. My intention was simply to share the concept and to show players how I play personally, and how I believe all great high note players do it.
This system has a 100% success rate for those who are suited to it physiologically: which is unlike any other system. The biggest frustration for me is that most players don't watch the entire video and therefore don't understand certain aspects of it. Many of the questions and comments so far prove that!
The biggest complement to my system is your final paragraph. It's just a shame it's taken pedagogy that long to get there!
All best,
TP
Really grateful for taking the time to write down and share your observations and thoughts on the mechanics. For a beginner like myself, I hope this avoids years of frustration and can't thank you enough.
@@TheTrumpetProfThank you for sharing this concept!!
@@nikhilborwankarGood luck to you!
@chrismartinez8414 and @TheTrumpetProf, do you have any advice for isolating the airstream in the inner aperture to concentrate it through the space between the upper teeth? When I attempt to implement this method it feels like a large amount of air is just redirected and escapes through the space between the canines and the incisors, rather than being forced through the smaller space between the upper teeth
DONE !!! Reached the fantastic C6 with GEWA 6c Mouthpiece and Yamaha 2330s
Thanks a lot for your explanation. You are a trumpet master. I'm a professional trumpet from Barcelona (Barcelona)
This has appeared randomly on my feed while I am away on holiday without my trumpet! I’m 70, played for 60 years as a good amateur and am still big band competent but never knew about this technique! I cannot wait to get home and start practicing.
How'd it go?
Dear Paul,
thank you for your contributions and your great patience towards the questioners; personally, I think you make excellent and insightful arguments - I find it hard to understand why some people ask the same questions over and over again, as if they haven't actually watched your videos.
It's a shame that I only came across your posts so late (6 weeks ago) and purely by chance. I have been interested in this subject for a long time and have tried out many schools and tricks to improve my playing in higher registers. I am now 75 years old, not a full professional on the trumpet, but a doctor and music therapist - but the sound and the creative possibilities on the trumpet have always fascinated me. The only instrument I learnt to play very well as a child was the recorder. I still enjoy playing it and have tried all my life to transfer its lightness and liveliness to the trumpet.
In the comments and considerations, the question repeatedly arises as to whether some wind players would not do well to have suitable gaps built into their dentures. I agree that this would need to be carefully considered and would rarely be a good idea. If it seems sensible in exceptional cases, here is a basic consideration:
If dental repairs are necessary in a wind denture and small spaces are acceptable without visual or technical disadvantages, it would be interesting to see if a prognostic statement can be made about the optimal size for the spaces. My opinion on this in a later comment.
Best regards Wolfgang
Thanks so much! I really want to march DCI but I play a woodwind and I’m self teaching myself the trumpet. Im 14 and I think that I’ll be able to learn enough of marching and playing if I start now
You're right.
I'm 83, played 4th trumpet with the Johnny Hall big band as a teenager around the American airbases in the late 50s and wish you'd told me this then, though most 4th trumpet parts rarely went over F at the top of the stave. Went on to play tenor sax with Nottingham University Big Band (q.v. "Teamesville" on Spotify).
Bought a trumpet a couple of years ago, but found range a problem - but (and it's 11 p.m.) I've already hit top C on my mouthpiece but got to wait until the house is empty tomorrow to make it happen (and possibly upward) on my horn.
Thank you Prof.
I wrote this before looking at other comments (which I have just done now) and am looking forward to getting my 5 year old grandson to start saying M into a C cup mouthpiece. Probably his mother won't approve, but how did Charlie Turner (who I met, incidentally, on a flight from Johannesburg to Buenos Aires for the Frank Sinatra final tour) start?
Thank you David. You are proof age has nothing to do with it!!
Certainly makes sense. I’ve been playing/teaching for over 50 years. Never been super high comfortably, but about 10 years back started getting around f-g over high c without thinking.
This has completely changed my playing. Thank you so much.
That's great to hear. Good luck. TP
Thanks Paul. Nice little reminder of how to play with ease again, I find myself getting bogged down in all sorts of different ideas and often forget the basics every now and again. This video has been a good reset for me. Hopefully catch you for a pint soon! W
You always sound amazing!
This video makes a lot of sense! Thank you for posting it!
After ages, Mr.Paul is back again!🎉😊 Thanks for this new video!!
You're welcome. I hope it helps in some way.
Yes, great to be back!
OMG im so gratefull. Ive been playing trumpet for 10 years and could play to f on top of the staff with alot of efort. I got big overbite and no one could tell me why i just cant go higher. I was in music school i had best private lessons and everyone wanted to help me but no one could. Some was saying im not practiceing enough (i was practiceing 3-5 hours a day every single day) some said i had stage fright (but i had no stage fright in my ammateur band when i didnt had to play high). My best teacher showed me everything he could, but he just had No overbite so he didnt knew whats problem.
Yesterday i watched this video and today IN JUST ONE DAY im playing most jazz standards i could play shifted up an octave!!! Its not perfect like it was in lower octave but im not even tired!! This is not a problem since i was doing big emboshure changes many many times before i will get there in No time. At the moment it feels like very minor change that makes a huge diference. THANK YOU!!!
This is great to hear. I hope others will read your comment and be inspired by your experience. Thanks for posting. TP
Before you said that you no longer relied on tongue position as the primary means of changing pitch, leaving me to puzzle out what you meant. I assumed that it had something to do with the aperture. Thanks for stating it so clearly!
Thanks for the tips, we both think in the same way! THANKS THANKS THANKS!!!! I made a lot of progress with your help!
Great to know. Thank you. TP
Yes, of course, using what you have is an excellent shortcut to hit the target faster and better, with less effort, less lost of time and furthermore it is more natural and comfortable.
Such a fine and illustrative explanation of the dynamics. Thank you for focussing on the mechanics of playing. I had naturally stumbled upon some elements of this method and to have you explain it so clearly really helps in formalising my own understanding and expanding on my current capacity. Eternally grateful.
Thank you for this video it helped me push past the wall i have been stuck behind in my playing. Thankyou.
That's great. More help coming soon!
It would be great to have a video about dynamics and your aproach to them. Thank you for all the information you post
Noted! Website coming soon with in-depth lessons, tips and plenty of exciting trumpet resources.
You're a genius. The double apachure works.
Rolling the red part of the lips inward is what you are really talking about. I love how you talk about trying to expand the range of the trumpet player. I try not to call it high not playing. More like the command of the horn itself, with the proper embouchure formation you will have great command of the horn.
Hi. Not really. Just making use of any gaps you have in your teeth. TP
Just great and amazing! Greetings from Brazil!
First of all, it's great to see you Paul posting this video. I can't wait to give it a try. Thank you again for everything you do. Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day. 👍🏻🎺🎺
Much appreciated and good to be back!
I am sincerely amazed! This explanation is incredebly clear, and just after watching your video i could hit an F aboce high C with ease! I would love to see more content talking about tips on how to have better control with this technique.
Thanks. The best way to learn the technique is to get a lesson but I will release more information soon. All best, TP
Bonjour. As usual a very good video with great explanations. And happy to see you back. Until next video. Merci
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Woah, I was doing this to hit a G6 consistently and just played a Db7 using this method. Thank you.
There is no question this is the best way to approach high register playing. Great to hear! TP
Finally! Glad to see you are back making content. Best videos I've seen by far
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Interesting way to get the inner lip vibrating, a la Pops McLaughlin. I like that it forces a realignment of the (bottom) jaw to accommodate moving air deliberately under the top teeth instead of to the back of the top teeth. This will really help students with long upper teeth and short upper lip.
I'd wager some players already do something like this naturally, like Tine Thing Helseth. She has long teeth and a short upper lip, but looks so natural when playing. It's her setup because it's her unique teeth and lip formation. In fact she says she can't really free buzz because it is really different than how she plays.
Thanks for your comment. I agree. And I'd argue that the majority (if not all) of the best and most successful players already do this. Like I said in the video, I think it is the fundamental reason why the great players have incredible range and efficiency. The biggest problem is those players don't realize that's fundamentally how they do it. Young (and old!) players wanting to improve gravitate towards the big name players for advice and are then taken down the path of convention and frustration. Most have good advice to give on many areas of trumpet playing but the high note problem exists because the real solution isn't understood. . . . until now!! TP
Thank you very much for your explanation, I am eternally grateful... I share your videos here in Brazil
Thank you. Hope to visit your wonderful country one day. TP
Probably this is the best trumpet video ever...
Fantastic! Great to see you back Paul! Admittedly I’m not an ‘advanced’ player by any means, I’m a ‘come-back’ player in my early 50s with limited natural ability, but I have valued and really enjoyed your videos very much. Really hope you post many more words of wisdom over the weeks and months ahead 👍🎺❤️
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Im a natural proffesional player being able to play up to high g above the staff daily. Although with tension in my body and shops if playing loudly. I actually think i have been using some variation of these since i was little (around 15). And this video really explained what is happening, i will experiment more with this!
Great comeback sir
I loved the 100k Hz joke 🤣
All the bats around were pretty impressed I guess 🤭
You know what they say; "In music, it's important to listen to the notes that aren't being played as well". I play them all the time 😂
😅
I'm so glad you're back!
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Just playing high is not a problem. Playing high and loud and with good articulation is a problem though. If you can play high G with a volume that doesn't cut through the band, it's pretty much useless (unless it's for your personal satisfaction). I still haven't solve that.
Just playing high IS a problem for most players and it always has been. A high G which doesn't cut through the band is no use if you want to play lead trumpet but really important if you want to play piccolo trumpet. If you want to do both you need to know how. But it all starts with actually generating the frequency. In my view it doesn't matter if that's loud, soft, thin or big, it will give you something to work with. Thanks for your comment. TP
Great to see you back Paul.
Have you ever thought about moving your tongue up to create restriction in your airflow to get it to flow faster and create higher pitch ??
Hi. Yes I have!! In fact I refer to it as a way to increase lip speed in this video. The point here is that you should start with the aperture and work from there.
It is my simplistic view that faster air doesn't create higher pitch, it creates louder notes. TP
Thanks for such a well presented and thought-provoking video. After watching it I tried to implement this technique on my trombone and about 20 seconds later played (and held) a double-high concert Bb. I then took out my phone to video record myself, but wasn't able to repeat the act. I hope to get the knack of it, but am also wondering how applicable this is to trombonists, as we need a slightly larger aperture than trumpeters?
If you've done it once it means you can do it! It might only happen 1 in every 100 attempts but you know it's in there somewhere so keep going with it! If we think of a brass instrument as one separate instrument we are simply trying to create very high frequency down to very low frequency. For me that has nothing to do with actually playing the instrument. It's simply finding a technique or method to get the lips moving at extreme speeds. So yes, this can work for other brass instruments. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I greatly appreciate you posting all this information out here for free.
This video has been quite a revelation for me and has instantly helped me in my work as a professional trombonist.
The funny thing is, I think I used to intuitively play this way when I was younger, but I seem to have gone astray by focusing too much on firm corners and embouchure strength. Sometimes so-called “knowledge“ or doing things “correctly” can lead you down the wrong path. But thank you for sharing your discoveries. Higher and fuller notes with less effort, better endurance and faster recovery all seem to prove that I’m on the right track.
wooooow Thaaaanks so much it worksss!!!! now practice and clean the sound!!
Excellent! Stick with it.
I make this observation:
"The primary mechanism by which wind instruments, including brass instruments, achieve different pitches is by altering the effective length of the resonating tube. This change in length directly and consistently corresponds to changes in pitch, following the principles of physics.
In essence, whether it's a traditional brass instrument like a trumpet or a mechanical device, the fundamental principle is the same: changing the length of the resonating tube or cavity is the primary mechanism for producing different pitches. This physical adjustment in length is what enables the instrument to achieve its pitch range."
i.e. a machine does all this without any of this.
Agreed. But we are not simply dealing with changing pitch or frequency. That's very easy to do on any brass instrument. The challenge is, and has always been, high register trumpet playing and if it was that easy everyone would be doing it. I'm offering and sharing a way to do it which has 100% success rate for those who fit the physiological parameters (which happens to be the majority). I personally don't know of a method or system with this success rate. TP
Glad to see you back!
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Fascinating subject. I am a retired french hornist and wonder if you have diacussed this with vornists? I jave only ever heard a handful of hornists who truly had an unlimited high range. My own personal feeling is that is a sort of physical limit to the top, like being blocked. I had the money notes, and never experienced any physical difficulty playing high notes, but the limit was unmovable.
This is technique is ideal for horn players. For me, it's nothing to do with "the instrument" it's simply a way to get lips vibrating faster. The lips don't care which instrument they're attached to! I agree there will always be a limit, but most players don't really know how they do it, and without that knowledge they're trying to fix the whole engine and not the tiny component which is limiting they're potential. Thank you for your comment. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf when I consciously applied these points I realized I have developed some similar techniques subconsciously. I recognize the role of the teeth and bottom lip working together, but I can't seem to get my range to expand upwards like you describe. Mental blocks are the hard part for me. I'm thinking this is how Philip Farkas could play so high while his horn was resting on the piano.
@@jamesgage5418 I believe most great high note players use a form of this but without knowing. That's no good for those who need the help! And those who do use it naturally could probably enhance it even more if they actually knew what they were doing. Conventional techniques actually get in the way of it.
Funnily enough I gave a consultation to a pro horn player (member of a top European symphony orchestra) yesterday and in less than 5 minutes he played a succession of 15 totally effortless F's above high C. TP
Mr. Mayes, thank you for your work in pushing the limits of our understanding of brass playing! I had a genuine question, do you ever pracitce to merging of the two systems? I find it great to have access to the range but ability to switch between two systems of hertz production to be an interesting playing method. Is the HFA the "concert" apeture? Do you continuously switch between the two? I'm extremely curious, thank you!
Hi. MDAS is only one system which uses two apertures so there is no switching between the two. It is possible to switch but the whole point of the frequency aperture is that it is THE most efficient way to control pitch. Hope that helps. This video has attracted so much interest I'll make a follow up video addressing the comments so many thanks for yours. TP
Thank-you Paul.
I really like the explanation for this. One thing I noticed is that one of your upper front teeth is ahead of the other. This seems to be a common trait among those that can play high along with the proper muscle structure and strength. Because of these traits, many will not be able to play into the range above D and E. I have found that it really takes experimenting with nuance adjustments to increase the range. Also, just hitting a note is not really enough when playing lead trumpet, as you really need to be able to "drill" these out in loud, commanding fashion. Being able to hit the note is definitely the first step though. I think you video is a great explanation for what goes into playing higher and many will benefit from this. Thank you for doing this video - nice job!
Hi Steve. Many thanks for your message. My right central incisor does sit "out" and it does give me another HFA option but I don't really make use of it. The way you can tell is the angle of my trumpet. To maximize the benefit I would need to direct the air stream downward to keep the gap open and avoid blocking it off with my lower lip which is very fleshy. I can use it if I want to, but I have multiple choices when it comes to HFA and it isn't the most efficient for me.
Playing lead or any type of high and loud playing, requires a more open aperture. It is about learning to control and manipulate the HFA in a very specific way which is a big part of my system. I'll share more in future videos. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Interesting. Thank you for the detailed explanation. I will keep an eye out for future videos. I find your approach very interesting.
I play most brass instruments and I have been playing tuba mostly because my band needs it most but I also volunteered to play a church song on my trumpet. Tuba rarely ever needs anything close to a tight aperture. So after getting used to tuba I could barely play high notes on my trumpet. Thanks for the tip.
There's no reason you can't play both well if you use the right techniques. Good luck. TP
best double high C ive ever heard tbh
So glad to see new videos from you!
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Thank you for this demonstration. When doing flexibility, do the embouchures change, and if so, approximately at which pitch? Assuming it’s approximate to accommodate all players and their different abilities.
Hi. My frequency aperture (HFA) changes but not my sound aperture. You're right that it will depend on the player. Balancing the way we control pitch requires experimentation and I'll do a video about it soon. Many thanks. TP
This really helped! May I ask what mouthpiece you use?
I'm between mpc's at the moment. I made another slight change to my set-up and am using a 3C replica I picked up online for £8! I'll look at AR, Monette and GR soon but my general advice is always to go for the smallest diameter mpc which gives you the best sound.TP
HI Mr. Mayes, thank you for all your videos. Making a small aperture when you have a protruded top lip like me is not easy! Can you give some advice ? Thank you in advance.
Do you have any gaps between your top teeth? Try to fizz the air between your lower lip and top teeth. TP
It’s all about air. Tightening your chops/raising your tongue is counterproductive, if you want both the note and a big sound.
Very good teacher!
THANK YOU SO MUCCHH
Gracias por su apoyo a la comunidad de trompetas 🙏
muchas gracias.
Great to have you back ! Great content as ever
Much appreciated and good to be back!
A Great video thanks Paul
amazing to see
Welcome back Paul great to see you making some more content. As I play only flugal what range could I expect to achieve?
Thanks, it's great to be back. If you are suited to MDAS you could achieve the same range as playing the trumpet! It might not sound as nice on the flugel but in the case of this video, the frequency is determined by the size of the aperture and nothing else. TP
Great video! Thank you..
Hi Paul, Gav here from Haverhill, former Sop player and now retired. Why on earth didn't you tell me this years ago!!!
You didn't need it!! All best, P
Fascinating, thank you!
I'm curious how you're decreasing the size of that frequency aperture, i.e., what you're doing to make your lower lip move up in your case. Is your jaw moving closed to make that change happen? Thanks for a very interesting concept!
Hi. There are numerous ways to close down the frequency aperture and the jaw is one of them. This video has attracted so much attention I'll do a follow up video and address some of these points so thanks for the comment. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf that would be great, thanks! Glad that you're making videos again, I stumbled upon your older ones last year after I picked up my horn after many years away from it, they've been very helpful.
Many compliments! Really good info.
You Sir, are a genius!
Thank you sir, but I'm just trying to save everyone a lot of wasted practice! TP
Hello Paul and thank you for the videos. Question about setting the lips (or embouchure), just before placing the mouthpiece. When setting up the "M" of the lips, is there any unfurling involved with that at all? I ask because I'm reading about an "aperture tunnel" being formed by doing this, that is supposed to be helpful for range & endurance. Thanks & be well!!
Hi. I can't see how simply forming an aperture tunnel with the lips alone can be helpful to play high UNLESS something else (like an inner aperture) is in play. The inner area of the lip vibrates slower than the outer area so it makes more sense to use the dry area of the lips to create the vibration. Saying that - if it works, use it! TP
Hi Professor. Thanks for the reply. So are we saying that unfurling causes the outer area of the lips not to vibrate as much because by unfurling they are moved away from the airflow, & thus the air is moving past the inner lips (& not the outer lips), that don't vibrate as much as the outer lips? With that, are we saying that if we simply did an "m" with our lips, the air would move past the outer lips for the best & faster vibration? Along with that, do you still advocate wetting the lips, even forming the "M"? THANKS!!
Wow, you had me a bit on edge. After 64 years of playing (began at age 9 in March of 1960) it had me wondering what this "new" technique was...I discovered it on my own about 40 years ago; a lot of us do it without realizing it. No substitute for a sensible warmup and not over-playing as we age.
I agree with what you say, and as I said in the video, I believe it is what gives the great trumpet players there range and efficiency. It's "new" because it's not taught. There is no system or method for a player to learn it . . . . . .but there will be very soon!
"No substitute for a sensible warmup and not over-playing as we age." That's some of the best advice I've heard for a very long time. Thank you for your comment. TP
Confused by "blow the apperture closed", do you mean to start blowing more open, and bring the lips together to find the higher frequencies? Or maybe to resist the apperture being opened by the air? Thanks
I agree that phrase can be confusing. The air will bring the lips together. Blow and the lips will close. TP
This still seems confusing. It obviously works very well for you but is there a way to describe how blowing brings the lips "together"? Intuitively it seems to do the opposite. I really appreciate your videos@@TheTrumpetProf
So interesting - but I have not got it rigth now, may be be I am prctising with any unknown basic error. What should be the steps in detail to practise? Please tell me, Paul, I am really interested in leaving c3 upwards easily. Thank you.
Great, Thank you !
I think "blowing your lips closed" utilizes the tissue that is further back under the lips. This tissue is much softer than the outer portion of the lips and much more prone to faster vibration with less effort. The unfurling of the lips also exposes this inner area of the lips to become the vibrating surface AND can create a longer vibrating surface front to back for more volume?
Hi. For me, it is better to use the dry area of the lip to vibrate if you can, as it will create faster vibrations. It's difficult to produce a clear and resonant tone using the inner areas. TP
Hello!
Does the type of mouthpiece have any effect on being able to play in the higher register? For example, is it easier to play a high C with a 3C verses a 7C? What mouthpiece are you using in your video? Thank you!
Yes, a shallower or narrower mpc will help you play higher but you may then be sacrificing sound or flexibility etc elsewhere. It also depends on the way you play. Really efficient players with effortless high range can play any note with any mouthpiece. I've made a video on mouthpiece choice and demonstrate going to double C on even the biggest deepest flugel mpc.
I'm between mouthpieces right now after making a very small change to my set-up. The one in the video is actually a cheap mpc I bought online. I got a 3C, 5C and 7C for £18! They work fine. I put a Denis Wick booster on it but it works fine without. TP
I really like what you teach.
But I'm confused some players say use air and don't push and Don't make emboushoure so tight.
So I get confused.
I will keep watching.
And thanks for expertise and sharing.😂😂😊😊😊
It can be confusing! I'll share more soon but experiment and explore and you'll find things that work better for you. TP
Tongue placement. When tonguing in the high register, behind the teeth or higher up on the alveolar ridge?
If only the answer was a choice between the two! It depends on the way you play, the type of embouchure you have, the system you use, the shape of your teeth, your mouthpiece placement. . . .so many things.
My high register tongue placement is lower behind the top teeth because of my Double Aperture System. At least there are options with articulation so experiment with articulating position and tip/blade tonguing. TP
Can this still be done if you don't have a gap in your teeth? Are the two apertures being used simultaneously or are you switching between them as you go up and down in register? If switching, at what point does the transition occur? If simultaneous, then you are only controlling the pitch ever with the inner aperture?
If you have no gaps or air channels anywhere then it's not possible to create a second aperture. But it's extremely rare for a player not to have something they can use.
The apertures are used simultaneously. One aperture creates sound while the inner aperture changes frequency. If there's no outer aperture there's no sound. If there's no inner aperture, you have to change frequency/pitch with the the same aperture as you produce sound. All great players use two apertures. They might not realize they do but that's what gives them their technical ability, myself included. TP
welcome back !!
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Do you have any experience applying this method to other brass instruments?
Yes. It can be applied to any brass instrument.
Hi Prof! Is this Badinerie by your performance?
Yes!
@@TheTrumpetProf It's cool!
@@mustechnology
ua-cam.com/video/53j_31P2aRI/v-deo.html
I was a bit younger then!
@@TheTrumpetProf It's mine, a bit slower: drive.google.com/file/d/1B1rQ7g1z7TKMvXKRJGr0ETqM3ASvjp4C/view?usp=drive_link
BRO PLEASE BE MY TEACHER😭😭😭 i kinda use what i have naturally and it actually helped me get that high C
He’s back 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Welcome back! Great video and information and I am looking forward to more of your wisdom!
Much appreciated and good to be back!
Where is the tip of the tongue stationed when using the two apertures? Where is the contact that produces the articulation? Thanks!
Never mind, I see where you already answered that question. I was stuck at E above high C and after watching your video getting up to G. Looking forward to better sound and control as I settle in to the new setup. THANK YOU!
I think I get it. I can play easily to super G, but I can't get the volume I'd like any tips prof?
Hi Gerry. Your aperture is too small! Try to open it a little. It needs to be a "big" small gap. P
Very helpful 🙏🔥🔥
How important is the type of mouthpiece? I’ve been playing recreationally on and off for 55 years. Still using the original 1C, 3C and 7C Bach mouthpieces. Most professionals have very different looking ones. Can one get those super Cs with these types? Thanks!
Yes! It doesn't matter what mouthpiece you use. It is possible to produce high frequency on any mouthpiece. TP
Wow thank for this video
I'm just starting with trumpet but i'm adult and I played piano and bass guitar before so limited range really put me off. I watched many videos on how to extend range but nothing worked. I was skeptical with this mdas system but gave it a try. It didn't worked after first 5 min but 3 days with 1.5h practice and I'm playing higher than ever before. Yesterday high C was hard for me. Today I played high G. Even one time I played double high C. And without using my lip muscles. My tone in upper register also is better. It is not that easy. For me the trick was to start with highest notes i can play. With teeth close to lower lip and good pressure of air I tried to play high. When after few tries I found some really high note I started to descend from that to low C and go back to that note.
Thanks for your comment and congratulations on working it out for yourself. Most players who have a lesson with me can do it in less than five minutes. Some in 5 seconds! I agree it is not easy to do but it makes playing high easy and that is my point.
I haven't shared everything about this system for several reasons. Firstly it would take too long! It is a complex system which includes techniques, methods and exercises to develop effortless and efficient playing. I've been developing this for many years and put in a huge amount of work both with my own playing and with others. I'm sure players will appreciate and understand that I am not simply going to give away my life's work! I feel I have given enough away here for players to work with and to feel the benefits of the system but there is so much more to it.
I am working on books, courses and a website to offer players a variety of ways to study MDAS in it's entirety so look out for that. TP
🤯 wow, mind blown! Awesome info
I'm a high school trumpeter that's struggling to play beyond high C above the staff and I think I have MDAS as my left front tooth is slanted with a small gap, but I can't seem to put that MDAS aperture together with my pitch aperture.
I'll bring out more information on MDAS soon. You have potential there. TP
How do you form the inner aperture if the gap you have is in your lower teeth? Do you use the top lip with the lower teeth instead of bottom lip?
Yes it is possible and the principle is still the same. You are creating a narrow air channel through the teeth and using the tissue of the lips to vibrate it. Think outside the box. Forget conventional teaching. It's been around long enough to realize it doesn't hold the high note answer. Make sure you get your lower lip out the way of the gap. You'll need to lower it or roll it back or it will block the air stream TP
@TheTrumpetProf Thank you for answering my questions and for the amazing video!
That's interesting... I've pretty much always been a natural "screamer", but I got my many limits, as everyone else. When people asked me how could I get so high, I've always answered that a high note is just... a note! Focus on it and your brain will work out the "settings". Let's say "focus more about what you want to come out from the trumpet and less about what gets in". But since the brain could become tricky towards the natural limit, well... I suppose you need to start relying and using that very nature!
This video is actually a very good suggestion, so thank you!
I wish advice like this from rziaco would go away (just focus on the note and you mind will work it out). I played for 40 years trying to just let my mind work it out and it didn’t work. After a few days of trying to apply the concept in this video I am for the first time playing easily up to high C - who knows how high I’ll get w further application of this helpful concept.
@@chrismartinez8414 no no, mine wasn't an advice, I'm nobody to give advices... It's just a point of view, which is valuable as yours! Everybody must work and play as prefer! If I think too much, I play too little, but this works for me, you my friend, are entirely entitled to do whatever gets you happy!
When I started doing this, I started hitting high c consistently, but after about 30 mins, I’m back down to my normal range. Also it feels very unnatural, because I spend like 15 seconds setting up my new aperture, and somtimes it just doesn’t work, does this come with time?
You found it then you lost it! If you've done it once you can do it again. It probably will feel unnatural but that's compared with what you're doing right now. Remember, you don't have to use it 100% to begin with. My video is to make players aware of it and to explore it but the way you play now is always going to fight change. Continue to play as you do, but in your practice try to find high and you can eventually bring them together. I'll do more on this soon. TP
I have a split in my lips and a side that can generate very high. I thought I had to play in the center. Should i move my trumpet on the side for the high pitch and back for the lower one?
Thanks for your message. IMO it's absolute rubbish to say everyone should play in the centre. That's conventional technique and if you want to really get on with the trumpet, DON'T LISTEN TO CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE!!! My advice is to start high and work from there. Start with your high note (mouthpiece off-centre) and see how far you can drop. Then think of ways to turn your small aperture into a bigger one. TP
@@TheTrumpetProf Thank you soo Soo much.
My wife used to mock me that I can't play high, but since yesterday she have just been admiring me play very clear.
As you explained, it's so easy with my natural set up. I don't press, it flows much easier and very high. I can't believe that it was just there the whole time
@@TheTrumpetProf Do you have a course plan I could follow? Most of what I find always start from the lower notes.