Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
Trumpet big problem with air escaping from my embouchure?
I'm a lead trumpet player in my high school band. Recently I developed an excessive pressure problem because some of the notes I have to hit are at the very top of my range. To fix this, I started practicing with a minimum amount of pressure. My range was a good full octave lower while doing this, but it gave my corners a huge workout. After a few days of doing this, I noticed my lead sound and range had improved.
Now, just randomly, after doing this for not even a week, one day all my lip strength is completely gone. I experience the classic leak in my embouchure where air escapes from the SECOND I begin to play, regardless of fatigue, and my endurance has quite literally gone down to almost nothing. This is clearly a lip strength problem. Is this due to the playing without pressure overworking my muscles? If so, what do I do?? This is extremely stressing, as I need to be able to play.
Also, I've heard people suggest it's a mouthpiece problem, but I can't change mouthpieces at the moment. I'm currently using a Bobby Shew Lead, and it's the only mouthpiece that allows me to hit all the notes I need to. I'm planning on going deeper, maybe to Monette or something, when my lips get stronger but obviously they aren't now.
3 Answers
- Big Swing FaceLv 59 years agoFavorite Answer
The real reason is that you're human and not a superhero trumpet player. There are over 200 muscles in your face and quite a few come into motion when playing the trumpet. Just because you don't feel tired does not mean certain muscle groups aren't trying to recover.
That being said, I've found that little things like making sure I'm not thirsty while playing. Wet lips make a better seal than dry ones (no snickering, please). Sometimes it happens to me when I'm first warming up and it fixes itself once my muscles get into the right positions but I do notice it on particular hard-playing nights. The best you can do in that situation is tough it out and give yourself recovery time. With continued practice you'll see results but it is important not to get discouraged and give up on practicing because of slow progress.
My personal opinion is that mouthpieces do play a role in endurance, but that people focus too much on equipment. Kind of like me thinking I can't run a 4 minute mile is because I don't have the right shoes as opposed to the truth which is I eat too much Taco Bell and am lazy. I play on a Marcienkiewicz Bobby Shew 1.25 and love the rim. A wider rim will allow you to play for longer (generally) but you sacrifice flexibility. I would not spend the money on a Monette for any reason until you're sure it's going to help. Try a Schilke 12a4a that has a thicker rim or a Marcienkiewicz Eric Miyashiro model. They're both a lot cheaper than a Monette.
Source(s): Professional trumpet player. - 9 years ago
Probably one of the biggest things you can do is get a new mouthpiece, but since you cant than...umm idk. I have the same problem but for me its only sometimes. I get air coming out of the corners of my mouth. What I do is stop playing for a few minutes then go back to it. But for you it starts right whenyou start playing right? Its probably from so much pressure...when you play high notes, do you press your trumpet to your face? that could have a big effect. I say its from stress. Maybe take a few days off from playing and then play again. Its summer right? So dont play for a few days then play again and see how that works. Hope I helped :D
