Posted by Abalama on February 05, 2003 at 08:35:57:
In Reply to: frustration posted by Matt Higgins on February 04, 2003 at 23:48:15:
Are you putting in 2 to 3 hours of PERSONAL practice time a day (wind ensemble doesn't count)? Are you practicing a variety of lip slurs? Are you practicing long tones in several registers? Are you practicing etudes up the octave (down the octave)? The more time you put on the instrument with a focused take no prisoners attitude and "JUST DO IT", the more likely you are going to improve. Mouthpieces are not going to do much unless you already have a excellent embouchure and proper air support. Push your limits. Upper register notes are going to sound like doo-doo for awhile, but if you continue to work at it, it will (most likely) improve. There is no MAGIC BULLET.