From comments being sent in, most players have seen an improvement in their range. In fact most have been able to reach or surpass the goal of one third. To those who have stuck with the program, congratulations and because of the success, you are all on your own now. But please don’t forget how you got here and what needs to be done to continue with your improvement.
The Claude Gordon Method has been a great workbook for Daily Practice and I would like to review what makes this method helpful to anyone who begins, follows and continues with the method.
• The Claude Gordon Systematic Approach to Daily Practice is a complete method for practicing. While some high range books are effective for range development, a complete method such as this is more beneficial to the player.
• The CG method stresses the importance of deep breathing throughout the book which is essential for strength, power and range development.
• Mr. Gordon’s instructions to rest, when indicated is very beneficial for many times players will overdo the playing and do more damage than benefits to their chops.
• The method incorporates contrasting muscle activity which not only builds strength but also insures flexibility in the embouchure.
• The first few lessons deal with the basic concept of pedal tones and slowly and effectively increase the work for fingers as well as lip flexibility.
• The CG method incorporates articulation exercises as well as lip and air exercises for a more complete player.
I hope this exercise fulfilled your expectations for improvement on your high range. We will now begin Lesson #V and I hope everyone continues each week with a new lesson. If you have any questions about your progress, feel free to contact me at this site and I will try to answer any questions you may have. This has been a very profitable experience for me also for my goal was to increase my range by a third and overcome the difficulty I have had with my G above high C. This morning, not only was I able to reach my G and A as I have been doing this week, but today was the first time in about 30 years I was able to reach a double high C. I must admit that only someone at the end of my horn could hear it, but it was there. If it is there, even weak today, it will be bigger and easier next week.
Don’t forget to mark your highest note as I have today.
