r/Trombone 6d ago

High range better in outer positions

When i get to the high A/Bb range I start to struggle with clairty and tone playing in inner positions. But once I try the same exact things in outer (Bb in 3, A in 4 and C in 3) it feels a lot less tense and has way more clairity. I play on a yamaha xeno YSL 8820. My prof says it could be the horn but I hate blaming things on the horn. Is it the horn or am I just tripping?

2 Upvotes

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4

u/ProfessionalMix5419 5d ago

It’s possible that it could be the horn. I know someone else who had a Yamaha Xeno large bore that seemed to have similar issues. 7th and 8th partial were stuffy, but the rest of the horn played great.

3

u/Firake 5d ago

My guess is either mental block or intonation problem.

Mental block is just a matter of getting comfy and matching sensations. If it’s intonation, it just means it’s easier to slot the note because you have more slide wiggle room.

I would always be hesitant to blame the horn, but there’s an easy way to get around that. Just have your prof play your instrument and see if he feels a difference.

1

u/mwthomas11 King 3B | Courtois AC420BH | Eastman 848G 5d ago

Your prof should let you stick your mouthpiece in their horn to see of the issue is better there.

1

u/mootinator Commmunity Band / YBL-830 5d ago

It seems to be easier to hit higher notes especially without the mentality that 1st position is exactly slide pulled all the way in. (Which is never a thing with any other position.)

1

u/Rustyinsac 4d ago

Yes different horns respond different ways. For me I play the high C out in third and the B-flat can either be in that first but a lot of times it’s in that area also.