Someone
stated that for high
notes...
"The air must move in large volumes...as we play higher notes."
Actually this is an "old wives (brass players?) tale." The further we
go
up in our range, the less air we are moving. If you carefully
analyze
how much air is passing through the embouchure on a low C (2nd
space) compared to the one 2 octaves higher you'll see this is
true.
Here is the experiment of proof. Take a huge breath. Play the low
one
at forte with the metronome clicking away at 60. Count how many
clicks pass by. Do the same on the high one at forte. You should
be able to hold it significantly longer, proving that less air is
moving.
The difference between upper and lower registers when it comes to
what the embouchure is doing is simple. The embouchure's
musculature must be strong enough during the high note buzzing,
to hold back what the diaphragm is pushing out, creating the high
pressure stream of air which is necessary for upper range.
Bottom line: Don't play with pressure! You are damaging the very
muscles you need to be building up to improve you range and your
endurance.
Jeff's
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