[TPIN] a horn player's view on the cupid's bow

[Eric Egle]

Hello all.  I am brand new to this list, and I don't play trumpet (though that is the brass instrument I was started on).
   
  I am a horn player, and at one time I played professionally.
   
  This topic of the the cupid's bow or 'divot,' as I call it, has always been interesting to me because I have a prominent one.
   
  After years of observation and acquaintance with several world class brass players, I have noticed that there are very few top players that have a prominent divot.  
   
  It is my theory that those whose apertures are more naturally formed with the least amount of facial contortion will have the easiest time playing and make the quickest and most permanent progress.
   
  That being said, there are exceptions to the rule.  Though I am not a 'top' player per se, I've obtained a professional level as horn player.  I know several other that have done likewise.
   
  Recently I've picked up my ol' axe and have been shedding some wood.  I was having some difficulty after taking close to ten years off of playing, and I did some looking online for some guidance.  
   
  I came across Wendell Rider's website http://www.wendellworld.com/.  His belief is that there are many different lip types and that there is a correct embouchure for each.  I followed his advice for those with this 'divot' or 'cupids bow' and I must say, a month later I am playing better than I had as a professional 10 years ago.  
   
  Perhaps this approach to embouchure could translate to playing the trumpet (with some modifications, of course).
   
  Finally, Phillip Farkas, former principal horn of the CSO, published a book years ago that is photographic study of the embouchures of a couple dozen world class horn players.  There are several depicted that have this 'divot,' and at least one with a severe one.  It's worth checking this book out if you need some encouragement or are just curious.
   
  Cheers,
   
  Eric

Michael Anderson <manderson at okcu.edu> wrote:
  I have had a similar experience in 25 years of teaching college students
that John describes below with three students. I'm not totally sure it was
because of a cupids bow or a tubercle, but we did come to the conclusion
that these students were never going to reach their goals on the trumpet.

In each case I moved them to either trombone or euphonium and they each
could immediately play with more power and range. I just did this with a
student last semester and ever indicator is that it will be a successful
move. 

Sometimes I think it is just that the physiology doesn't work with the small
mouthpiece.

Lawrence, you should try trombone or euphonium and see if you can't make
those work.

MA

John: 
>We got to work, but nothing worked. Of course
>he would go through periods of great discouragement, and I
>constantly tried to encourage him while wondering why he
>didn't just work harder.

Dave:
> A person with a prominent tubercle may have difficulty with range
> because of lip mass that cannot be taken out of the equation. I'm
> not saying that person cannot be a good trumpet player. I'm just
> saying that a person with a prominent tubercle may have significantly
> more difficulty playing lead than someone with a fairly flat top lip.



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