Gadgets for Facial Isometrics

talcito · 11-26-2005, 11:49 AM

There are a couple of websites recomending certain gadgets for use in doing facial isometrics. Patrick Hession is selling a product called 'facial flex" and Dillon music is selling a product called "chop-sticks".

Facial isometrics have been recommended by such great players as Bob Macoy(sp?) and Leon Merian.

Have any of you experimented with these type of gadgets to assist in facial isometrics.. Will they help improve my playing or will they just help me stay away from a plastic surgeon in a couple of years!

Z4ME · 11-26-2005, 11:54 PM

I also was skeptical but decided to try the Chop Sticks about a year ago and now use them daily as part of my practice routine. I have found my playing to be more consistant from day to day and my endurance has increased. The price is about that of a cheap mouthpiece and well worth a try.

W Scott · 11-27-2005, 12:02 AM

I'd suggest using the pencil exercise that Pops McLaughlin has come up with. You can easily follow the directions in the book 'Chops Builer' and a pencil is about as cheap as you can get. Check out his books at:

www.Bbtrumpet.com

pops · 11-27-2005, 02:27 PM

A pencil is free. You or a friend has one laying around the house.

All of the gimmicks are based on the pencil exercise. Why pay MORE for the substitute?

Hold it using only the lips and start slowly. Start with a half a pencil for a minute a day and add time every week.

In a few weeks use a full length pencil which BTW is WAY more work than the gimmick devices.

Again start at 1 minute a day and slowly add a little time every week.

Never do more than 4 minutes in a day.

Isometrics are tiring and you do want to be able to play.

There you got it free.

Have a great week.

talcito · 11-27-2005, 08:29 PM

An early Christmas---Thanks Pops!

Alex Yates · 11-28-2005, 11:05 AM

From the Merriam Webster dictionary:

gadget (noun) : an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty.

************************************************
Stick with the simple things. Nothing replaces simple, consistent work. You'll get there.

dizforprez · 11-28-2005, 01:28 PM

In what I have seen the use of those exercsies only leads to tension in the lip, which leads to needing more pressure to play, which in turn leads to trying to strengthen the lips even more.

So far every one that I have met that uses the pencil exercise uses a lot of pressure when they play.

pops · 11-30-2005, 09:18 PM

The 2 biggest teachers of the pencil exercise were Reinhardt and Stevens.

Neither liked pressure.

Stevens is often CALLED the No pressure system because he built the lip muscles and practiced playing open arpeggios with the horn laying on the open palm of his hand. He made all of his students do this as well.

I have seen EVERY aspect of playing misused but the pencil exercise does NOT make you use pressure.
Those people used pressure before and just didn't do the exercises needed to stop doing so.

Only 2 things can make you use pressure.
One is trying to play with open chops and the second is having lips too weak to make compression. (The pressure compensates for the total lack of compression in both cases.)

dizforprez · 12-01-2005, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pops

The 2 biggest teachers of the pencil exercise were Reinhardt and Stevens.

Neither liked pressure.

Stevens is often CALLED the No pressure system because he built the lip muscles and practiced playing open arpeggios with the horn laying on the open palm of his hand. He made all of his students do this as well.

I have seen EVERY aspect of playing misused but the pencil exercise does NOT make you use pressure.
Those people used pressure before and just didn't do the exercises needed to stop doing so.

Only 2 things can make you use pressure.
One is trying to play with open chops and the second is having lips too weak to make compression. (The pressure compensates for the total lack of compression in both cases.)

I am just telling you what I have seen. The more relaxed the lip is the less pressure you have to use to play, this exercise seems to create more tension in the lip for those that I have known to use it.

tpter1 · 12-01-2005, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trompetvrouw

************************************************
Stick with the simple things. Nothing replaces simple, consistent work. You'll get there.

If I may quote that great philosopher Baloo (from Jungle Book):
"Look for the ...
Bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife"

Couldn't agree more, Alex.

11-26-2005, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
talcito Piano User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 300	Gadgets for Facial Isometrics There are a couple of websites recomending certain gadgets for use in doing facial isometrics. Patrick Hession is selling a product called 'facial flex" and Dillon music is selling a product called "chop-sticks". Facial isometrics have been recommended by such great players as Bob Macoy(sp?) and Leon Merian. Have any of you experimented with these type of gadgets to assist in facial isometrics.. Will they help improve my playing or will they just help me stay away from a plastic surgeon in a couple of years!

11-27-2005, 12:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
W Scott Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carson City, NV. Posts: 490	I'd suggest using the pencil exercise that Pops McLaughlin has come up with. You can easily follow the directions in the book 'Chops Builer' and a pencil is about as cheap as you can get. Check out his books at: www.Bbtrumpet.com __________________ Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!

11-27-2005, 02:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
pops Pianissimo User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 58	A pencil is free. You or a friend has one laying around the house. All of the gimmicks are based on the pencil exercise. Why pay MORE for the substitute? Hold it using only the lips and start slowly. Start with a half a pencil for a minute a day and add time every week. In a few weeks use a full length pencil which BTW is WAY more work than the gimmick devices. Again start at 1 minute a day and slowly add a little time every week. Never do more than 4 minutes in a day. Isometrics are tiring and you do want to be able to play. There you got it free. Have a great week. __________________ "30 Minutes A Day to Better Playing", "Book of Embouchure Pictures". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.BbTrumpet.com & http://www.TrumpetCollege.com Pops It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

11-30-2005, 09:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
pops Pianissimo User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 58	The 2 biggest teachers of the pencil exercise were Reinhardt and Stevens. Neither liked pressure. Stevens is often CALLED the No pressure system because he built the lip muscles and practiced playing open arpeggios with the horn laying on the open palm of his hand. He made all of his students do this as well. I have seen EVERY aspect of playing misused but the pencil exercise does NOT make you use pressure. Those people used pressure before and just didn't do the exercises needed to stop doing so. Only 2 things can make you use pressure. One is trying to play with open chops and the second is having lips too weak to make compression. (The pressure compensates for the total lack of compression in both cases.) __________________ "30 Minutes A Day to Better Playing", "Book of Embouchure Pictures". Plus my other 8 books at http://www.BbTrumpet.com & http://www.TrumpetCollege.com Pops It is the Smart application of hard work that gets you there.

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11-26-2005, 11:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Z4ME New Friend Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 10	I also was skeptical but decided to try the Chop Sticks about a year ago and now use them daily as part of my practice routine. I have found my playing to be more consistant from day to day and my endurance has increased. The price is about that of a cheap mouthpiece and well worth a try.

11-27-2005, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
talcito Piano User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 300	An early Christmas---Thanks Pops!

11-28-2005, 11:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,405	From the Merriam Webster dictionary: gadget (noun) : an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty. ************************************************ Stick with the simple things. Nothing replaces simple, consistent work. You'll get there.

11-28-2005, 01:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
dizforprez Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,028	In what I have seen the use of those exercsies only leads to tension in the lip, which leads to needing more pressure to play, which in turn leads to trying to strengthen the lips even more. So far every one that I have met that uses the pencil exercise uses a lot of pressure when they play.

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