Floppy chops

nomojo · 11-05-2007, 09:34 PM

Greetings all,

I have recently taken up the trumpet after over 40 years absence and am finding my progress frustratingly slow. I can blow for about 3-5 mins before I start sounding like a kazoo.

Have been given varying advice from "Don't overdo it" to "Blow 'till your lips fall off"

Can anybody suggest some exercises or whatever that might help accelerate my progress?

Best regards.

Nomojo

rowuk · 11-06-2007, 01:21 AM

Nomojo,
building chops is the same as any other physical activity:if you are in a hurry, you usually get disappointed.
Success is generally attached to a plan, a routine.
My suggestion:
Start with long tones on the mouthpiece- 5 minutes, not loud - NO TONGUING
2) long tones on the trumpet - 5 minutes not loud - NO TONGUING
3) lip slurs - 5 minutes not loud - NO TONGUING
4) some music - melodies, Hymnbook - easy stuff not loud - tongued
5) technical studies for tonguing and the like!

The trick is to play softly, even to take a sip of tap water between exercises. Loud comes later when you have some chops. This is about a half hour of easy playing. Do it twice a day for a couple of weeks. You will find your frustration goes down every day!

dlewis · 11-06-2007, 08:35 AM

Well said Rowuk

nomojo · 11-06-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowuk

Nomojo,
building chops is the same as any other physical activity:if you are in a hurry, you usually get disappointed.
Success is generally attached to a plan, a routine.
My suggestion:
Start with long tones on the mouthpiece- 5 minutes, not loud - NO TONGUING
2) long tones on the trumpet - 5 minutes not loud - NO TONGUING
3) lip slurs - 5 minutes not loud - NO TONGUING
4) some music - melodies, Hymnbook - easy stuff not loud - tongued
5) technical studies for tonguing and the like!

The trick is to play softly, even to take a sip of tap water between exercises. Loud comes later when you have some chops. This is about a half hour of easy playing. Do it twice a day for a couple of weeks. You will find your frustration goes down every day!

Rowuk,
Thanks for the advice.
Sounds like a plan.
Nomojo

et_mike · 11-07-2007, 08:29 AM

And a good plan it is... just remember soft is the key...

11-05-2007, 09:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
nomojo New Friend Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Coffs Harbour NSW Oz Posts: 10	Floppy chops Greetings all, I have recently taken up the trumpet after over 40 years absence and am finding my progress frustratingly slow. I can blow for about 3-5 mins before I start sounding like a kazoo. Have been given varying advice from "Don't overdo it" to "Blow 'till your lips fall off" Can anybody suggest some exercises or whatever that might help accelerate my progress? Best regards. Nomojo

11-06-2007, 01:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Brand: Nat, Piston, Rotary Posts: 3,923	Re: Floppy chops Nomojo, building chops is the same as any other physical activity:if you are in a hurry, you usually get disappointed. Success is generally attached to a plan, a routine. My suggestion: Start with long tones on the mouthpiece- 5 minutes, not loud - NO TONGUING 2) long tones on the trumpet - 5 minutes not loud - NO TONGUING 3) lip slurs - 5 minutes not loud - NO TONGUING 4) some music - melodies, Hymnbook - easy stuff not loud - tongued 5) technical studies for tonguing and the like! The trick is to play softly, even to take a sip of tap water between exercises. Loud comes later when you have some chops. This is about a half hour of easy playing. Do it twice a day for a couple of weeks. You will find your frustration goes down every day!
	__________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

11-06-2007, 08:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
dlewis Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: RANDALLSTOWN MARYLAND Brand: BACH Posts: 90	Re: Floppy chops Well said Rowuk

11-07-2007, 08:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
et_mike Piano User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Brand: Schilke Posts: 353	Re: Floppy chops And a good plan it is... just remember soft is the key...

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