Posted by Bill on November 22, 2001 at 10:00:09:
In Reply to: Getting Frustrated . . . posted by Dan Mordhorst on November 21, 2001 at 20:52:55:
You've allowed your embouchure strength to weaken. Rapid lip slurs, not valve slurs, will help you. Play the 4th, 5th, and 6th partial (Bb, D, F) slowly at first and build speed. When that is good and fast, go up one partial (D, F, Ab) and so on. This should help. Also, don't play incorrectly. Don't press to get the high notes and don't move your face around trying to get the notes to come out. With proper embouchure strength, you will get your high range back. Don't play once you become tired. You can do more harm than good. And rest frequently. Remember, after a good workout, your body needs 24-48 hours to rest that muscle group before you start to workout again. If you can't play as high one day when yesterday you could, you're probably building muscle, and the muscle needs time to repair itself before you try to build more.