The importance of warming up before hard playing cannot be over stated. Just as an athlete stretches, a ball player throws easy at first; the trumpet player is very similar in that a sudden blast of a high note may work for some but the more intelligent of the masses begin their playing with an easy routine of warming up gradually.
I have incorporated my chromatic exercise into my warm-up and find it very beneficial. No matter how high we are able to play, improving our range is always a good idea. The chromatic warm-up I have included both as a PDF file and a recording will make it more interesting for you to practice this exercise.
The advantage of playing chromatic scales to warm-up on and the added advantage of increasing your range will save time in your practicing. Each day I continue up to a particular note that I have been able to play easily. I will continue up to that note without advancing higher. After that note has become easy to achieve, I will then advance to the next half step and stay there for as long as it takes me to feel comfortable at that range. Sometimes I will stay on the same note for weeks. If I have not practiced for a while, I will have to return to a lower note and continue with the work to get back up to my highest note played easily again. Your highest note will fluctuate from day to day but with regular practice, your high range will improve. I have been asked several times in clinic How high can you play? My response is always the same, I can play one step higher than I am expected to play.
The Chromatic Warm-Up
As you can see from your printed music, the first few measures are rests. The first measures are played on the tape. In all cases, you are to repeat what you hear on the recording. It is very helpful to be able to imitate something you have just heard. As you progress to the higher notes keep in mind that some of you will not be able to reach the top note on the recording. When this was recorded, I had no idea as to the range of the players and have included more high notes than some of you may be able to play at this time . On the other hand, some will be able to continue higher than the recorded example and that also is fine. The only thing you need to realize is that you should never push higher than you feel comfortable. Some players will improve one half step in a few days while others may stay on the same high note for a month. Each player will progress at his/her own rate. If the recording continues higher than you are able to play comfortably, continue to repeat your highest scale until the recording descends back to your high note. After that, follow the recording back down.
The method that I am using is in line with a subject posted earlier called welcome-to-the-bell-curve-system-of-practicing.
Some are blessed with ease in the upper register while the rest of us have to work very hard to increase our range by one step. We applaud those who are so gifted with high notes and we applaud them just as they should recognize the talents we possess.
How to use the material
Once you have downloaded your music to your desktop you are ready to begin. Start the recording on this site and follow my lead.
The trumpet part was recorded in the right channel and the metronome was recorded in the left channel. In that way you will be able to adjust the volume to your needs. If you are unable to play at the recorded speed, a program such as Audacity can make it very easy to slow the tempo down without changing the pitch.
Remember- While following the recording, remember to relax and enjoy what you are doing. Playing any instrument should be enjoyable not a drudgery.
Remember- If you feel that you are increasing the mouthpiece pressure on your lip as you continue upward, you need to check out my post on mouthpiece pressure.
Remember- Bang the valves down firmly at all times.
Remember- As you play higher; think of blowing the air further out your bell.
Remember- An improvement of one half step a week will put you on a note an augmented fifth higher in two months.
Remember- The first few times that you practice this material, make sure you are seated. Read my post -Why do trumpet players pass out.
Remember- DON’T BE IN A HURRY! Slow and consistent improvement is much better than haphazard and unreliable performances.
