Thanks again for the kind words. I'm absolutely flipping about this piece.
I have always had some slight inflammation to my chops but it wasn't until I started losing weight (down about 35 lbs since July of last year, got a bunch more to go!) that I noticed more inflammation. The mouthpiece kept "biting" into my chops and at points it hurt actually. I LOVE to practice and wanted to figure out why. One of my friends suggested I was allergic, so I called my doc and he said the same. (I'm also allergic to Penicillin (sp?) and Strawberries of all things).
He said while it might not be a true "allergy" that I try wood or plastic rims (he used to play trombone in HS). He also suggested that since I've lost weight and "cleaned" up my diet (BIG TIME) that I might be more sensitive to toxins in my system. And I thought McDonald's wasn't bad for you
I played the Kelly pieces for a while and that really helped my embouchure sensitivity. I didn't get enough projection and weight to the sound so I called Mark. He really hooked me up with this TC and is making me a whole line of other Lexan pieces. I can tell you my chops have NEVER felt better. I know most people won't stumble onto a great solution like I have. I was getting to the point where I thought I better get my piano chops in shape for when my trumpet chops teeter out!
So here's another clip you all to enjoy. It's a little more "heady" but shows the mouthpiece off with a little more practice.
Best,
T
www.trentaustin.com/soundclips/steps.mp3