Expanding Your Upper Register

We are often asked to give some insight into material which would improve trumpet players higher register and this might answer some of these questions.

One reason we seem to put a limit to our high notes is because the studies we practice do not include material in that register. Even the Arban Method is very dated in this area.

So the question should be “where can I find decent material which includes higher notes than trumpet books offer”?Here is one such book and it will open a whole new world of material to advance your higher range playing.

Gekeler Method for Oboe
by Kenneth Gekeler
Book Two

The material in this method is perfect for the trumpet player who has developed a solid range up to and including a high C. When first perusing these exercises, one realizes that all of the notes seem to be transposed a third higher than one would expect in a trumpet method. Raising your practice material a third is exactly what you need. Any higher will create more effort than would be needed at this point.

You will also find that each etude is short, which is also a great benefit to the player for you will not be pounding away at your lip for extended periods of time. The flowing melodies in this collection will also be a pleasure to perform and in addition to improving your higher playing you will be performing in a melodic fashion rather than repeating dull and boring scales.

I have included the first page of this fine book so that you can get started to gain confidence in your upper register. Also included is an MP3 demonstrating how you can benefit from my “Rest As Much As You Play” routine. If this form of practicing is new to you, “by all means check out my sitetrumpetlessonsonline.com where it is more fully explained.

First Page-

Practice Recording-

Note that the etudes have been recorded separately on both the left and right channels. On day one, listen to the left channel and continue playing the second line, etc.
On day 2, begin after the four bar click track and rest on the even numbered lines.

By doing this, you will increase you endurance as well as help expand your sight reading ability.

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.