Fundamental Friday-Increase high range with simple glisses

The biggest question I get is about high range.  Here is a little exercise I use that I picked up from someone so long ago that I can’t give them their due credit!  Simple glisses the full length of the horn, 1st to 7th positions (positions vary, but essentially just the full length of the horn and back), then find the note you stopped on in a long position and gliss in to first. Rinse and repeat as high as you can go without pressure or pain.  Some days you can go sky high, other days you can’t.  Also remember, this is a warm-up exercise, not a performance, so it’s ok if you crack some notes or have some intonation issues, I sure did on this take!

The trick is keeping the air consistent and blowing THROUGH the slide as you gliss towards your face. The trombone is telescopic, so the inward movement of the slide does push a little air back to your mouth. It’s a small amount, but once you get into the extremities of the horn, that small amount of resistance can unfocus the air and cause you to miss the notes.

Note when repeating the 1st position note in the long position (Bb in 1st then Bb in #5th) that you play it like it was a natural slur. Again keep the air moving!!

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