TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - re-learning to play on a new embouchure

Jurandr · 04-01-2008, 10:20 PM

did I spell embouchure right?

Also:
One of my band directors pulled me out of band today and gave me a minilesson today on correct embouchere-ing my trumpet. For the past six years, I've been bringing my lower jaw foward to neutralize my natural overbite, and then opening my teeth really wide to let more air through. He said that yes, I should be opening my teeth, but I should be letting my natural overbite stay as it is, and just tilt my head back, while not moving my horn at all.

I tried it out in his office, and I felt like a lot of pressure had left my lips (I already thought I was at the bare minimum!) and I could just barely play. The little bit I DID manage to play however, had this really sexy new tone attached to it that I didn't think was possible for someone with only 6-7 years of experience manage.

He said that the old way I played could cause permanent damage to my mouth and I could potentially lose the ability to play on a trumpet. So here I am, trying to learn this new embouchure. Since I've changed, I can't get above a 3rd-line C (on a bflat trumpet), can only play 70% of the time, and I play first part with a couple of solos.

What I need is a few hints and nudges to speed up the relearning process! Our main director is a real dictator when it comes to band-and he won't let me play a lower part until I get used to to the new feelings, so I'm just sitting there blurting a long. I managed a little bit, and it was some of the best tone I've ever heard myself play, but I couldn't keep it going. Band is obviously not helping me- I'm hoping you guys could help enhance my at-home studies, because I feel like band is ripping apart everything I'm learning on my own. My private lesson teacher is on vacation for now, so I don't have him to ask.

04-01-2008, 10:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jurandr Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 57	re-learning to play on a new embouchure did I spell embouchure right? Also: One of my band directors pulled me out of band today and gave me a minilesson today on correct embouchere-ing my trumpet. For the past six years, I've been bringing my lower jaw foward to neutralize my natural overbite, and then opening my teeth really wide to let more air through. He said that yes, I should be opening my teeth, but I should be letting my natural overbite stay as it is, and just tilt my head back, while not moving my horn at all. I tried it out in his office, and I felt like a lot of pressure had left my lips (I already thought I was at the bare minimum!) and I could just barely play. The little bit I DID manage to play however, had this really sexy new tone attached to it that I didn't think was possible for someone with only 6-7 years of experience manage. He said that the old way I played could cause permanent damage to my mouth and I could potentially lose the ability to play on a trumpet. So here I am, trying to learn this new embouchure. Since I've changed, I can't get above a 3rd-line C (on a bflat trumpet), can only play 70% of the time, and I play first part with a couple of solos. What I need is a few hints and nudges to speed up the relearning process! Our main director is a real dictator when it comes to band-and he won't let me play a lower part until I get used to to the new feelings, so I'm just sitting there blurting a long. I managed a little bit, and it was some of the best tone I've ever heard myself play, but I couldn't keep it going. Band is obviously not helping me- I'm hoping you guys could help enhance my at-home studies, because I feel like band is ripping apart everything I'm learning on my own. My private lesson teacher is on vacation for now, so I don't have him to ask.