[TPIN] Embouchure question/the dreaded top lip crush

[Glenn Bengry]

Bob,.  
 
    Always part of the equation is how much pressure is on the top lip.  as soon as there is a certain amount, the vibrations are hindered.  A low mpc placement only exaggerates this issue.  
 
It is possible to play with this placement if one can reduce the amount of pressure used in total and also if one can shift most of the pressure to the bottom lip and thesides of the embouchure
 
How do we do this?  One thing is to stick the bottom jaw forward slightly.  A second thing is to do more of a pucker so that the sides of the chops meet the rim and do more mouthpice support.  The third thing is to develop a "pad" of muscle on the bottom lip.  take the mouthpiece and gently press it against the bottom lip, pushing back with the lip.  Hold it there til the muscles get that burning, tingling sensation.  Do that for multiple minutes each day.  It is remarkable how much difference that bottom pad can make.  Lastly, if one can learn to bend notes, the amount of pressure used on a bent note is less than we normally use.  I call these bent, fuzzy area notes, "the cracks".  If we practice playing in the cracks more, we will inevitably play with less pressure.  How does one learn to play there?  You gotta practice there.  Practice playing in the cracks
 
John's suggestion of a bigger mpc and rolling are also excellent.
 
glenn
 
x
> From: john.daniel at lawrence.edu> Subject: Re: [TPIN] Embouchure question> To: cellblk7 at comcast.net; tpin at tpin.okcu.edu> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:52:29 -0500> CC: > > Bob,> I would try to get him to roll in his lips. Once he > begins to get the hang of it, you might try larger > mouthpieces.> John> > > On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:50:25 -0700> "Bob Romans" <cellblk7 at comcast.net> wrote:> > How many great trumpet players play on the bottom/red > >part of their upper lips? I have a student who has very > >thick lips that make it impossible for him to put the > >mouthpiece on any part of his upper lip...He's a smart, > >talented 7th grader...good ears and desire...but I feel > >like he's hampered...he gets up to the top-line F, and > >his tone immediately gets very stuffy....HELP!> > Warm regards,> > Bob Romans,> > 1617 Lakeshore Dr.,> > Lodi, Calif. 95242> > Ph 209-747-1148> > www.cellblockseven2002.net> > _______________________________________________> > TPIN mailing list> > TPIN at tpin.okcu.edu> > http://tpin.okcu.edu/mailman/listinfo/tpin> > _______________________________________________> TPIN mailing list> TPIN at tpin.okcu.edu> http://tpin.okcu.edu/mailman/listinfo/tpin