[TPIN] Air and Stomach Conception

[Vaxtrpts at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/31/2007 9:26:29 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
darndt at oriongate.net writes:

The  bottom line is that playing trumpet requires a certain amount of 
tension,  
i.e., the muscles have to work to hold the embouchure.  The lips  require a 
certain amount of tension in order vibrate in a meaningful way  (to produce a 
good sound).  You can't play without using the muscles  in your face, and you 
can't play without *some* amount of tension in the  lips. 



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I do agree in part with this statement, but here is another way of looking  
at it.
Actually, the way that I like to describe this in my clinics, is that I  
don't use the words tense, tension, or tightness at all.  I like to think  of 
"flexing" the muscles, rather than "tensing" them.  This seems to give  a  good 
impression of proper use, without over use.
A good example is to hold your hand out in front of you, palm up.  Now  just 
lightly open and close our hand repeatedly.  You could do this all  day.  Now 
squeeze your hand together as hard as you can, and repeat.   You will feel all 
kinds of tension and get tired very quickly.  This is how  I explain a good 
use of flexing muscles to young people.  They seem to "get  it" right away.
Hope this helps.
Mike Vax



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