the trumpetguy

anyone know any good effective ways?

ChaseFan

Long tones played softly holding whatever note is just at the top of your middle range (for many players it might be top-line F).
Playing the long tones softly is important since loud notes tend to blow the aperture wider open.
The slightly higher note is to encourage tighter embouchure, since some players tend to adopt a too-loose embouchure for playing lower notes.

Alternately, have you tried the "pencil trick" in which you exercise the embouchure by holding a pencil in your embouchure sticking straight out for as long as you can hold it?

ChaseFan

scottcgr

Thompson buzzing book p. 12-13.

Actually, probably the rest of the book, too.

BergeronWannabe

ChaseFan

Agreed regarding minimal pressure and playing softly and holding the top note.
I failed to mention the minimal pressure part in my post.
One should use just enough pressure to make a good seal, which is not much pressure at all.

ChaseFan

the trumpetguy

i have been doing the pencil trick for a while now
one of my friends thats in a senior on college told me about it
and said its realy effective
and hes to the point were he can hold a mouthpiece in his lips out straight which is truely amazing

rowuk

In many cases, even worrying about the aperature is not helpful.

The best way to keep the mechanics of playing together is not to try to play in the super analytical mode. It is contraproductive. This is why I advocate finding a decent teacher. You then get a routine that will build and maintain the mechanics and aperature, breathing, body use are managed externally - therefore not robbing YOU of creative energy.
A decent daily routine will take care of everything - if you stick to it. Get a teacher!

duval

How can I reduce the pressure I am using? I don't have great teeth, and they are getting worse as I use too much pressure on my face? I try by simply pulling the horn off my face, bur then my sound goes awful...

Bear

If trying for a smaller apperture, another "trick" you may try is to start from a closed set. This means, keeping the lips in contact with each other as you start blowing and letting the air create the apperture to start the vibrations. Not a fan of that, but there is another "way". Take care.

ChaseFan

Using too much mouthpiece pressure is a sign of trying to use mouthpiece pressure to compensate for weak embouchure while trying to play one's highest notes very loudly. Because your embouchure is weak, you are using the mouthpiece pressure to pin your lips together when the muscles are unable to hold the lips together.
Suppose your highest note is a High F, but you can play High C easily with minimal mouthpiece pressure.
Try playing scales very *softly* up to High C using *minimal* pressure, even holding those notes for long periods (long tones).
You will probably get the same muscle burn in your lips that weightlifters get in their arms and legs. Rest a while when you feel that burn.
After a few weeks of that your embouchure should be much stronger.
Then you can gradually increase how high you play and how loudly you play, because your embouchure will be strong enough to play high and loud without needing increased mouthpiece pressure.

ChaseFan