Improving tone
Hello, I just started my freshman year and I'm in the band (obviously), when i hear a lot of the seniors and juniors play they sound a lot better than me. I'm usually been 3rd chair because i get a single point off of tone quality. Even though I know they aren't exactly the best trumpet players, I want my sound to be at least as good as their.
So I was wondering, what are some mistakes that new trumpet players make in terms of tone?
I tend to notice that playing on a deeper mouthpiece, like a Schilke 20 improves tone quality when compared to a shallower mouthpiece. It's not a long term fix, but it makes a noticeable difference for me when I switch. But definitely long tones and practice. That'll be your best bet.
Thanks to both of you for replying.
I forgot to mention that most of the problem is with note below the g in the middle of the staff. It almost sounds like a trombone a bit. I have some problems with notes above the high D, but I think that is more of a range problem.
I was thinking I might be not using enough air, does that sound right?
Perhaps not using enough air but the wrong type of air. As others have said, practicing will improve your tone, but, in my opinion, you need to practice the right things. I would recommend doing a lot of long tones with a tuner and really trying to find the center of each note on your horn. Hakan Hardenberger (if you don't know who that is, go YouTube him now) once told my friend; "The most important aspect for a budding trumpet player is to find the absolute perfect center of each note. It's going to take forever and you will never do it - I'm still trying - but it will put you on the right path."
I would recommend a lot of basic things; Clarke Technical Studies, Michael Sachs Daily Fundamentals, and Arban (of course!) and just focus on tone quality.
I'm also a big advocate of singing. I would say whenever I practice, it's about a 60/40 ratio between singing and trumpet respectively.
Also, just an fyi, horn quality (both brand and the state of the instrument) can make a big difference, especially in the earlier stages of trumpet playing. If you're playing a moldy old hand-me-down and others are playing new Bach Strads, then yeah, there's going to be a difference regardless of the playing quality.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the advice, I'll try that out.
Also, it isn't my horn since i have a bach soloist, which is basically a strad.
just practice.
thats really the best way.
do some tone builders, long tones, and lip slurs.