Trumpet Lesson 4 - Zero Pressure technique

Dr. G Sto once again. Today I am posting about the Zero Pressure technique that I use to play. It makes playing a lot easier, once you get used to it. The high notes at the end are just to show how high it is reletively easy to play with it (as I show in this example by playing a G over high C and a double C). Remember, I will add lessons as they are asked for. Hope they help! Just drop me a line if you want me to make more videos on anything really... A few notes might be a little off, but the basics and the ideals are in play. My videos are just here to help. Please leave comments on how I could either make the videos better, or anything else you'd like to post. Thanks for helping me to help you!
-Dr. G Sto

--I am in no way a dr. of education, and my name "Dr. G Sto" is just an old nickname of mine. I will post videos as asked, if you would like me to post something for you to see, please send me a private message and I will see what I can do!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Trumpet
• lesson
• zero
• pressure
• tecnhique
• high
• notes
• scream
• basics
• skills
• Dr.
• Sto

[chasefreak]

There is no such thing as NO pressure. Now, the amount of pressue...that's different. If you want to practice reducing pressure that's smart, but as soon as you practice no pressure first there'll be no pressure, then no tone, then no job.

[DrGsto]

The Zero Pressure Technique is a name that leaves a little to misunderstanding... The ZPT really means no more pressure than you need to have a full seal on the mouthpiece. I've mentioned it before. It's an obvious (in terms of physics) that without any pressure, it is completely impossible to make friction or a buzz. For instance-- try to buzz your lips with your mouth open as though you were eating an apple. Impossible. However, with minimal pressure, you can buzz tight and high.

[DrGsto]

That being said-- this video was only meant to explain the idea of the technique, as I took one take of this and put it online to show how it worked. I didn't put major effort into the video, which is why my tone isn't the best. With enough work, you can use this technique to increase your playing duration and range. Perhaps someone else teaches it better... That being said, there's many ways to skin a cat... or play a trumpet, in our case.

Regards,

Dr. G Sto

[necajev]

superman, and what then, where are the notes, what about the sound?

[DrGsto]

The video is just for understanding of the technique. I had a request to put up the idea, not a request for it to be the best high range video ever. I might end up posting another video with better quality in a while if I have the time. I've been busy with too many things to keep my youtube up to date. I'll try to get something a little better online as soon as I can.

[121panda]

As you can see, this technique kills in marching band,

[julienburatto]

@DrGsto Very good video. I've seen in a trumpet shop a tool, to be inserted between the mouthpiece and the trumpet, that has a spring which forward the air out of the trumpet if you press too much. It's basically meant to help not to create pressure at the same time to develop good sound with lips.

[KefaloniaCrete]

Thanks for the advice. Zero pressure is a smart technique to play high notes. The pressure reduces the blood stream in your lips and degrades the sound. In general there is not a golden rule to right trumpet playing. I personally believe that good sound is produced only when breath lips and fingers work in full harmony and pressure kills this harmony.

[JHoffTrumpeter]

@DrGsto As you can see, As you can see, As you can see... Are you reading off a teleprompter?

[Arts0Music0Anime]

soo im just wondering, would doing the "practicing buzzing without the mouthpiece " effect my tone? cuz.. i like my tone.. ._.

and my director is always saying how when u play, ur lips arent together till they hit the mouthpiece then it causes the virbations in the lips to make the sound.. so.. would it effect it? im afraid to try.....

[tpt1122]

NICE VIBRATO!!!!!!

[dudepower100]

@chasefreak !!!!!!! No one will ever be as wise on an instrument than Clarke and Gordon!

[andrewbud17]

the best way my band teacher told us how to tell if we were pressing too hard was if in the mirror you could see a white ring on your lips right after you take it off your lips or stop playing.