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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
- 9 years agoFavorite Answer
Trumpet isn't my main instrument but I would say your are probably right in the fact that it is a lip strength issue. Have you laid off the low pressure strength training or upped the amount you are doing recently? I would recommend talking to your teacher or a private instructor if you can't seem to figure out the problem. It can be extremely frustrating to be a good player and suddenly develop a problem that you don't understand and they should be able to help you figure out the problem as well as give you possible solutions.
Source(s): Music Education major. - Anonymous9 years ago
im not sure about what you mean with pressure. if you're talking about how hard you press the mouthpiece against your lips, then you're right with applying almost no pressure. if you mean air pressure though, then you have to use as much as possible, especially for the high notes. you have to support your tone with a good and strogn airflow otherwise you literally destroy your lips and also you get in a horrible circle by trying to force high notes and making it worse and worse.
about the mouthpiece issue: there are people trying all sorts of different ones and then they forget that it's the player who makes the music. of course its important to have an alright equipment but you shouldn't forget about the essentials.
Source(s): trumpet player myself - 9 years ago
http://www.ultrapureoils.com/media/9158/high_range... try working your lower register up to your top, in scales. Also, try bringing the angle of the horn up some... If all else fails, the problem might be too little pressure. Try laying on the ground with the trumpet to your face, then bringig your body up (to where you're sitting down) and playing, all while keepin your horn to your face, with the same pressure as while on your back. The excersise a the top is intended for strength maintenence and flexibility. Also, while watching television, keep a pencil in your mouth(by the tip of the eraser) while usinf your trumpet emboucher. This will give you iron lips effective enough to play for hours. Trust me. I spend all day on the internet looking this stuff up.