How to Play High Notes on the Trumpet

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The highest notes on the trumpet can capture the interest and attention of almost any listener. However, it takes time and effort to climb into the upper register. Building up your playing endurance via lip and tongue exercises is a good place to start. Try to gradually extend your range through short spurts of playing across the scales. Finally, hold your body upright to make it easier to funnel fast air into your mouthpiece.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Building Up Your Endurance

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  1. Choose a note in the lower register. Play it on your trumpet for 30 seconds at first. Keep practicing until you can work up to 2 minutes or more at a single time. If you are worried about playing the right note, use a keyboard or piano and try to match it.
  2. Play 3 notes up, 5 notes up, and then go back down. Keep moving up and down the notes. Try to push a little bit higher each time. It’s okay if you can’t hold the high notes for as long. This is mainly about improving your ability to move between notes.
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  3. Try to go from the middle of your range to the bottom, to the top, and then to the middle. If you can do this without breaks, it is a great breathing work-out.
  4. Get out your trumpet mouthpiece and buzz your lips against it. Do this every day for 15 minutes. Continue this for 4 to 8 weeks. After the 8 weeks is up, you can reduce this time to 1 to 2 minutes each day. [1]
    • Another lip exercise is to place a pencil in between your lips and hold it out in front of you. Do this daily and try to keep it in position for 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Hitting the C note is the entry-point into the higher range. Start by playing on the low F# then do a lip slur for 5 notes. Count them out, like 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5. Then, repeat this process as you move up the scale. The goal here is to be consistent in hitting and moving between notes using only the power of your lips. [2]
    • A lip slur is an exercise, often used by brass players, that involves creating and changing notes by using your lips alone. These exercises are often played in descending order and by notes with the same fingering. For example; G-C-G, F sharp-B-F sharp, F-B flat-F, and so on...
  6. Pull a deep breath into your lungs over the course of 4 beats. Release the air out of your mouth over the course of 4 beats. Then, inhale for 3 beats and exhale for 4. Then, inhale for 2 beats and exhale for 4. The goal here is to make the same amount of air last longer, which is what you’ll need to reach a high note. You can also do the bottom-middle-top exercise where you breath from your gut first, then your chest, then your throat, and breath out. You go can change the speed and how long you hold to adjust to your needs. For example, you could breath in for 12 out for 12 if you want to practice a piano dynamic. You could also do in for 4 out for 4 for mezzo-forte.
    • You can also get a stopwatch and time how long it takes for you to release 2 beats worth of air. See if you can extend this time with practice.
  7. If you try to practice each day for hours you’ll wear out your tongue, lips, and throat. However, it’s a good idea to spend at least 15 minutes each day either exercising your lips or actually playing. This will gradually build up your endurance for playing the trumpet. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Heading into a High Note

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  1. Take 3 deep breaths and exhale them. Pick up your trumpet and place the mouthpiece against your mouth. Blow air into the mouthpiece until you are emitting a low, consistent buzzing sound. Hold this buzz for 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Keep your airflow constant by taking deep breaths into your lungs and exhaling directly into your trumpet. Start playing immediately after inhaling in order to get the most benefit.
  3. Drawing out your tones and notes, start playing the C scale. Gradually move through the scales after C, heading into the high notes. Take your time doing this. The entire exercise should take between 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Start at C and move through the keys 1-3-5-8. Again, work your way up the scales. This part of your warm-up should take between 2 to 5 minutes.
  5. Start with G (concert F). Try your best to keep this note steady for around 4 beats. Then, every 2 beats, move another half-step up the scale. Stop and take a break when you reach high C (concert Bb). This entire exercise should take between 2 to 5 minutes. If you continue to struggle, go back to the strengthening exercises for a few days before trying again.
  6. Start on C (concert Bb) and slur up and down from there while keeping the same fingering. Keep your slur slow so you can center each note as it's played. Gradually work up the scale, by half-step, as high as you're able to play.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Technique

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  1. Some people develop almost a mental block that stops them from heading into high notes. It helps to break down the scales in your mind and to envision how every step is not very far removed from those above or below it. Also, one person’s high note could be someone else’s baseline. [4]
  2. Many trumpet players try to achieve high notes by putting more pressure on the mouthpiece. This may make the volume increase, but it will do very little to heighten the sound. Instead, focus on controlling the airflow from your lungs through your lips. You can actually reach notes “above” C with very little air. [5]
  3. You can either stand or sit to play the trumpet. Regardless of your position, make sure to keep your spine straight. This lets the air go in a direct line from your lungs to your mouth and into the mouthpiece. You may see some players slouching, however, it’s best not to try this when you are working on high notes. [6]
    • Try playing while looking into a full-length mirror. This will let you check your posture while you play. Always keep your shoulders back and your trumpet between parallel and 1 degrees above.
  4. You should be able to play a high note on any type of mouthpiece. However, everyones lips are different and some players find that a smaller mouthpiece makes it easier to climb higher on the scale. If you find that your lip positioning is a bit loose, then a smaller mouthpiece might force you to tighten up. This, in turn, may create a higher pitch. [7]
  5. Experiment with raising up your tongue as you try to move up the scales. Imagine that you are making the noise or vowel sound “ee.” This creates a funnel for air to pass through your mouth and into the mouthpiece. As a result, the air will move faster and help you reach a higher pitch. [8]
    • The opposite of this approach is lowering the tongue and making an “ah” sound.
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  • Question
    I hit a super F in class today. I'm just wondering about any tips I could use to hit higher and more consistent?
    Community Answer
    One method is to hold out the highest note you can play well and hold it out. When you become consistent with it, go one step or a half a step higher until you can hold that note consistently and continue until you reach your goal.
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  • Question
    How do I hit a high D on a trumpet?
    Community Answer
    First try to play notes below high D. Hold high B for at least twenty seconds, and keep repeating it until you feel like you can get a strong and good sound. Then move on to high C and do the same thing. Don't stop practicing. If a problem occurs or if it breaks down, get it to the repair shop immediately. Get private lessons if you can.
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  • Question
    How do I play a high note on a trumpet?
    Community Answer
    Use a fast airstream and buzz really fast; make sure you warm up first.
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      Tips

      • Try not to puff out your cheeks while you play. It actually loosens your control over the airflow, instead of pushing air into the trumpet. Concentrate on squeezing and tightening your cheeks if you feel them ballooning out. [9]
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      • Aim for the top part of the mouthpiece
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      • More air = higher pitch (push air from your gut and control it)
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • When you play high notes, raise your tongue like you're saying the letter "E" to help you reach the right pitch.
      • Try firming up the corners on your lips. This helps form your embouchure.
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      Warnings

      • If you get dizzy or light-headed while practicing, take a break. It’s possible that you are overtightening your muscles in your face and chest and reducing your oxygen levels.
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      • If you get dizzy while doing breathing exercises, put your head in between your legs and rest until you feel better.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-play-high-notes-on-the-trumpet-12127735.html
      2. ↑ http://musicaroo.com/play-high-notes-trumpet/
      3. ↑ http://www.trumpetstudio.com/highnote.html
      4. ↑ http://musicaroo.com/play-high-notes-trumpet/
      5. ↑ https://tsmp.org/band/trumpet/wurtz_play_higher.html
      6. ↑ http://www.keithstead.com/and_more/musicians_corner/playing_high.html
      7. ↑ https://tsmp.org/band/trumpet/wurtz_play_higher.html
      8. ↑ https://tsmp.org/band/trumpet/wurtz_play_higher.html
      9. ↑ http://musicaroo.com/play-high-notes-trumpet/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To play the high notes on a trumpet, work on your endurance by holding a single note in tune for 30 seconds at first, then working your way up to 2 minutes. After you’ve built up your endurance, focus on controlling the flow of air from your lungs, instead of just blowing harder. If you’re still having trouble hitting high notes, use a smaller mouthpiece, which can help you tighten your lips and create a higher pitch. You can also raise up your tongue slightly as you move up scales to help air move out of your mouth faster and reach a higher note. For tips on how to maintain good posture to help you play high notes, read on!

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