| Re: sealing corners
I can only speak from what has helped me specifically. I started practicing again 4 months ago after a 10 month hiatus and the following has helped me imensely. For me, much of the corner issue was mental, focusing on the problem in my practice.
1) Think everything forward, almost like a pucker with your embouchure.
2) Be conscious of how much mouthpiece pressure you are using, just enough to make a seal, at first the leaking of your corners will be a little worse but will clear up.
3) Free buzz with no mouthpiece, just a few minutes a day, and be careful your throat doesnt tense up.
As far as your corners leaking when you play, if you work on it in your practice sessions eventually it will clear up in your performance. In performance, everything should be automatic so you can focus on music.
Specific exercises for this might be tough to find. Most method books focus on playing or mechanics or flow. But Claude Gordon's "Systematic approach to daily practice" has some great info.
Good Luck,
Gerard |