| I have been both. I played dry for years and years, always swabbing out the mouthpiece or swiping the rim across my shirt during playing. I liked the "anchored feeling" of playing dry. Any kind of moist feeling on the lips and rim was not a comfortable sensation for me. The problem was, I sweat much more on gigs, recitals, etc. than I do practicing. Also, while playing long phrases, you can't stop and swab out your mouthpiece and of course moisture builds. I began to see this need for a dry embouchure as a hindrance and a distraction. I had also read several times in "The Art of Brass Playing" (Farkas) that SOME moisture was necessary for a well-functioning embouchure. Well, I bit the bullet and began making myself lightly moisten the rim before playing. At first it was an awful "walking off the cliff" kind of feeling and the mouthpiece wanted to move a bit. When I stopped freaking out, I noticed it was moving to where the strongest vibration was located - eureka! Moisture allowed the mouthpiece to stay one with the buzz and simultaneously keep a seal. I have been playing with a lightly moist set-up for about ten years now and haven't looked back.
Oh, in response to Chuck's post about that man who used Desitin.... THAT S*** IS NASTY!!! I can't stand the smell of it. LOL. Any person who has changed diapers probably feels the same. LOL. |