Tongue Level not just arch the Key to High Notes on Trumpet and other Brass Instrument?

This helped me break the barrier. I was able to play high E because of the information I got from this video. Great video!

Claude Gordon was teaching that in the 60's and he got it from Herbert Clarke, whom he studied with for 10 years. Claude wrote several books teaching the same thing and how to get from point A to point B with your playing. It even goes back to Arban. Arban mentions using the syllable tu to tongue. Most people miss it. He was French and it is pronounced differently in French. The tip of the tongue would be behind the bottom teeth when you pronounce it correctly in French. It has worked well for me the past 40+ years.

Welcome to anchortonguing. The forward arch against the teeth is the arch that works. It is like a light switch. Not enough movement and nothing happens. Use enough of the correct movement and the world opens up for you. Go higher into tonguing with a hiss sound for your high notes and the start to sizzle. Pops (For some reason posted from my wife's account.)

So good! I have never understood this but your explanation made so much sense. I was the same as you, all embochure and toungue played no part. Now it makes sense. I sounded kind of like you but will work on it. Thank you so much!

I’ve watched so many videos like this, trying to figure out why I can’t reach the upper register. I just tried following your instructions, wow! What a breakthrough! Thank you!! 😁👍

Hey man! I found this video super helpful! I never really had any luck with these concepts but the way you explained it really helped me incorporate it into my playing!

This is it, man. I finally found my issue of constantly getting fatigued without even playing high by using all embouchure and air with my tongue doing whatever it wanted. I was not able to play for long sets and had to play parts down an octave. Now that I've tried this technique, I can play more comfortably and high without resetting while being able to play much longer and more accurately. Time to master this. Thank you lots!

Excellent description. I continue to come back with curiosity to tongue position for mid to upper register. I also practice warm up with a lead pipe from a CR 500. After watching your video a few times on this topic it makes good sense about the airflow over the bulk of the tongue and just placing the tip at the top of lower teeth. It just seems logical for the air to move faster as it is directed over the tongue this way. Now the lead pipe buzzing sounds cleaner and I’m finding another gear at the top end of warm ups. It transfers right to the horn and notes are slotting better now. I’m gonna stick with this method with practice and see how far it can take me over time. Thank you very much

have been playing the trombone for nearly 10 years and this helped a lot. thank you

I have never understood this even though I have watched Adam Raps and the trumpet prof talk about this. Your explanation was great, you learning to do this and showing the process is great. 👍👍

This is awesome man! For being a trumpet player for over 8 years, and still not playing into the "screaming" range, this is great man! The only trouble would be pitch/partial control, but I definitely LOVE how this method forces you to "open up" for high notes. Not to mention, my high notes I've tried with this sound better than they ever have (at least until a FORCE them and things get UGLY like normal, lol). Thank you SO much for this new method, always looking for new possibilities. :)

I conccur, in learning over the last 9 months never gave much thought to the tongue, height or arch. With each passing month higher notes just got easier. now at a high B. Higher notes is no longer a goal, but quality of each note playerd...and higher notes will continue to come at a pace associated with Continued embouchure strength development. My usable notes extended to G above the staff and soon A will become usable, then high C and D will reveal themselves. With time these notes all become easier and achieveed Wwith less mp pressure...thanks for the vote of confidence that I am not alone

Funny you mention having the tongue forward because I was just experiencing this the other day. The “whistling” is something that Adam Rappa discusses in one of his videos. Also been doing those slurs through the partials as recommended in Alan Vizzutti’s book “High Notes” which help train your aperture. Playing high notes (and better endurance) is a combination of several things together, including tongue position, aperture control and steady air. Hence what you’re musing on here is definitely the right stuff!

It’s the method Callet and Gordon, etc More simply, it is the position of the whistle.

What does your tongue do when you go back down the staff notes? Also, what is your embouchure doing? Are you making the hole smaller at all? Have not tried this yet but will after your video. Thanks!

⁠ i play french horn and have been struggling with this. even when i anchor my tongue i feel like it's not changing my air speed... are you "raising" the back of your tongue or the front? by "pinning" your tongue are you pressing against your bottom teeth to bend / arch the tongue or just kind of setting it there? any response would be appreciated!

Great video. I've always struggled with what people mean when they say tongue arch, because I've experienced the same thing you have where moving your tounge around doesn't seem to do much. However, I think I have naturally developed a playing method similar to what you are stumbling upon, because my younger resta again the bottom teeth when I play too. I will also sometime anchor the mid part of my tongue to the inside of the first sets of molars right after my I teeth and then use the front of my tongue to do any of the tonguing and pitch manipulation while I play. Sometimes I find that can give me a bright sound but also will make it super easy for high notes to come out.

Jerry Callet said "tongue through the teeth." Some syllables like eee lead to stretched corners. Also, the tongue drops a 32nd of an inch to articulate, never pulled away. Always in contact with the lower lip.

That’s a great experience isn’t it..😀 I know very well but this is long time ago thanks God.. I’d like to give you a tip. if you use your tongue that way you’ll really create more compression(it should be not the main compression) so involve your facial muscles and your sides of your cheek. to lead The compressed small air to where it should go.. directly to the entrance.. never let the time go back ..stay there. it will get easier and easier and you get more and more control. thanks for sharing your knowledge..🎺❤️👋😁

Hi @TrumpetThoughts I tried your method of having the tongue touch the lower teeth, but when I did that the sound just stops until I move the tongue back. Can high notes really be effortless without a muscular embouchure, a strong diaphragm, and years of consistent practice?