Octave key with D,E,F & G

[nick_cook]

One of the pieces of homework I was given on Monday, was to practise going from C to upper D,E,F, G and back again.

Well, at first I couldn't do any of it!!! I've temporarily given up trying to go from C to D, but have been trying to go from D to G with the octave key and back. The D was usually ok, E and F were sometimes ok, and I never got the G. That always reverted to the ordinary G.

I've been out practising in the car this lunchtime (it's not ideal sitting scrunched up in the back of a Focus, but it's better than nothing - I've got a 10k race tonight, so can't practise then), and I think I'm getting it!!!

I think I was having two problems - 1. My embouchure was too loose and I think air may have been leaking from my mouth. So tightening that seemed to help. 2. Making sure I had a good column of air all the way down to the diaphragm and breathing from there rather than just from my mouth, also helped. I started to get all those notes most of the time when I concentrated on those two things.

I'll carry on practising this tomorrow and hopefully, when I've got that mastered it'll improve all the other notes too!!!!

 

[frankb]

I'm still having problems going to from middle D to middle C, C# and (bane of my practices!) B and back. I seem to be not getting all the keys down (or up) cleanly and simultaneously.

Hopefully practice will cure it before frustration kills me! 😡

 

[nick_cook]

Yes, 1 finger for C to 6 fingers for D is a bit of a bu**er, and is something I'll need to practise!! I don't have too much of a problem from B to C and back - but I do have to do it a few times before it comes right!!!

 

[frankb]

From middle B to middle C there's a right hand key that'll do the job without you having to flip flop with the left hand. It's next to the side Bb key. Play middle B, press that key and the job's a good 'un! (Forgive me if you already know this!)

If only they'd put something on to go between middle B and middle D...!

 

[philthd]

if my chops are tired slurring down over the break can still be an issue sometimes. its an embouchure thing. you need a nice tight seal, but you dont want to be tightening on the reed.

 

[justin_chune]

Try playing the front C with the right hand already holding down the keys for D. Now you only have to use your left hand to get to D. This might help.

 

[wendsworth]

hi

getting a bit cocky with my new mpc which is making getting to the higher register even possible. I am playing a tune at the mo which has a high F#
Norm this is OK (when I start on it or just moved around the left hand) but I have to jump from high b-a-f#
Every time a normal (ish) low f# appears but if i stop and just do the f# its ok

Odd huh?