> I'm still having troubles with my high range. Could you guys just > give me a list of the components of a good high range? What to do, > what not to do, etc.? > > Also, as I go higher, I tend to roll my bottom lip farther and farther > over my bottom teeth, which exaggerates my overbite. Is this bad?
Yes that is bad. I suspect that this is part of a wider problem, of generally "tightening up" as you go into the upper range. Not just lips, but throat and shoulders as well. The net effect of this whan I have seen it is that the player sounds like a strangled cow in the upper register, even for those notes he can reach. High notes are achieved with a surprisingly modest tightening of the lips. The main work done to reach high notes is done with the diaphragm, providing exta air support. To demonstrate this, play a long note in your upper register (but not right at the top of it), and try to slur up to the next harmonic by changing nothing but the amount of air support you provide. Try not to make any conscious changes in your lips at all. Also make a positive effort not to tighten your throat or to tense up in any other way. Gaining an upper register takes time and is tiring. Don't try to do too much each day, otherwise you will get into bad habits of increased tension and suchlike by trying while tired. Regards Jonathan West _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
