BILL VAN

Hello, I am a comeback player after playing 20 yrs. and have playing again for 21/2 yrs. now 5 hrs. a day. Had restrictions and did some research and decided to try an embouchure change which I thought would be a waste of time for I felt I was doing everything correctly. I was always told to smile from my pro teachers in philly and figured that was the way to go. I can't believe the difference of my playing now! It was hard to get used to pulling everything forward but I was persistant and wow what a change. The high register is a breeze and have plenty of air left! The Getzen I sold my student trumpet and bought the Getzen and what a horn! Valves are awesome and great tone. Had a Benge 3x in school and sold it when I went to college. If I knew the basics of the right way to play I would have never stopped. Playing is a blast now and it's nice to play a piece and not worry about the high notes coming up and hoping I'll be able to nail them! Playing has never been this fun! Comeback Bill

horton543

Wow....I have been struggling with my endurance...did you say to smile when playing? I will give it a try.
Lee

rowuk

Some serious teacher told you to SMILE while playing? I think you are in for some medium term trouble.
Smiling stretches the lips and makes them vulnerable to damage. The generally accepted method is just the opposite-compress the lips, strong corner muscles. This gives you more lip mass that by compression will let you play higher. After you get done playing, a smile towards the audience can work wonders.

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horton543

Tried it today, didn't feel right
Lee

lonelyangel

Hi Lee and Robin, read Bill's post carefully.
He is not advocating smiling - in fact he is saying exactly the opposite.
His early teachers, back in the 60s or 70s apparently told him to smile - so did mine by the way.
After playing for 20 years - lets guess until he was in his early 30s he stopped. Now he is a comeback player of some 2 and a half years aged 50 - a late Happy Birthday to you Bill for the 2nd!
This post is celebrating the fact that he has now discovered a more efficient way to play and is really enjoying the trumpet. Long may that continue.
It seems he is a good advert for TM.

All the best. Noel.

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max3k

mine told me that when i started playing, most retarded advice i can think of.

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