Tone issues

[Phoenix Wright]

I looked and didn't see a thread like this, so i thought i'd ask for help.
Around last year, i got my braces off, and coudn't play my trumpet for my life. I ended up having to practice a lot more than anyone else, and going up and down scales until my lips were shot. Eventually, i got back everything i knew, and then some, except for one thing: My tone. I'm incredibly flat. My tuning slide is all the way in, and i'm STILL flat. I wanna know if there's anyway to fix this. Thank you.

NOTE: I'm using a 7C mouthpiece normally. If i use my 6A4A, i'm rlly sharp.

[the_sousabone]

Try the 6A4A with the tuning slide pulled out.

[Phoenix Wright]

Yeah i've done that, but i don't feel like using my screamer for the rest of band. Its hard getting used to it. And college profs will make me get a new one anyway.

For my problem, i have tightened my... Em..ebma.... lips. It didn't work.

[trumellotonium]

^ embochure is the word you were looking for.

An exercise I like to do is something like this: Start on low C, put down middle valve, release it, then keeping the open fingering, lip the note down to the B you just played, then lip back up. Repeat down the chromatic series (i.e., start on B, go to Bb and back up, etc...). The lower you go, the easier it is to lip down, so once you're getting comfortable with it, start on G instead, etc.

This isn't really practicing lipping up much, but it gets your embochure in the habit of controlling your intonation and stuff.

Hope that helps!

[Phoenix Wright]

Embochure..... I knew that. XD Seriously i did. I just couldn't spell it. I always thought it was amisher, and then i wondered why we called it that. XD

That seems like it would help tho... i'll try it out. I'm usually in tune anyway, saying i have to work the hardest to actually stay in tune. XD
But thanks for the help.

[bandman001]

Sounds like you need to find a mouthpiece that works better. If you had a mouthpiece with a shallower cup but a normal rim size it might help bring your intonation to a better balance. Try emailing the professor from the college you want to go to, or near to you. If you want, I can get you the email of a trumpet professor I know, but if you could meet someone near you it would be better.

[Phoenix Wright]

Hm..... i'll try that... i don't know any profs.... there aren't really any colleges around me. XD
But i could always ask my friend from college.... he might help.
Thanks.

[jazztastic]

Aren't you a little old to be playing on a 7C? You should try moving up to 5C or 3C, and just be practicing your scales and long tones.

[Phoenix Wright]

Old?
I've been playing a 7C my whole life! No one told me to switch until i decided too. XD
A 6A4A is pretty shallow.... we call them screamers here at school. I'm still trying to get used to it...

[jazztastic]

Ahh! Sorry, don't yell at me!! Haha... I always have the trumpets switch off a 7C when the hit high school.
And what kind of setting are you using the screamer in? Marching and concert band that's a definite no-no (there ARE exceptions, like I would let my lead trumpet use a screamer in our marching show because we're playing "The Incredibles"). Or, whatever your director says. Usually those are restricted to jazz. The shallow cup is supposed to make your sound pop and be brighter and tighter. A mouthpiece like that is NOT going to really help you recover after something serious like getting your braces taken off.

[fruple]

Yeah, I'd would switch to a 3C. They have a really nice sound and are pretty standard to buy. I've never heard of a 6A4A (we keep to basics here as we're all really poor), but sounds kinda like a 12C in the respect it's used to scream.

Yeah, staying on a 7C is a bit odd, but it's fine. Half our trumpet section in concert used them. I've still got one or two of them that I use occasionally.

But yeah, a 3C would be nice. Try out someone else's mouthpiece first and see if you like it. And if you have enough money, I'd recommend getting a gold plated mouthpiece. They feel like butter on your lips, just really smooth and amazing to play on. Really adds on the hours on how long you can play for (in my personal experience).

[Phoenix Wright]

My 6A4A was bought for jazz purposes, so don't worry. I'll keep my 7C for all my other bands. But i've never been told to switch. Like seriously. I was never told about anything different. XD

So i'll be fine in jazz band, but i'll still have this problem in normal band. XD

[fruple]

Yeah, different groups do things differently. Truth is, I was going to stay on a 7C until my first section leader basically said he'd shoot me if I didn't switch (his way of showing affection =3). But if you are having tone issues it might be worthwhile to check out new ones.

[Phoenix Wright]

Hmm... okay. I'll check out some new ones. THanks