| Dear Johnny,
It's the sort of thing that happens to all of us for any number of reasons. It can be anything that causes it but the bottom line, all things being equal, is likely that you stresed your lips after adopting a pattern, temporary or otherwise, of taking in les air.
The solution is simple: the next time you play, I'd like you to take in as much air as you can. Sip in a bit more while staying very relaxed. Sip in a bit more. And a bit more until you are maxed out but still relaxed.
Let it go. The only reason I want you to do this is to reacquaint yourself with how much air you can hold.
Now go ahead with your normal, musical practice, warmup routine and avail yourself of as much air as you did but still relaxed. The key now is to play at a lesser dynamic with this renewed amunt of air. Keep taking more than you "need". Just play with a full capacity but at a slightly subdued dynamic. You'll note almost immediately that your sound is easier to create and more buoyant. Play tunes, easy ones, that require little thought and always have plenty of air to play them.
You'll be fine shortly.
ML |