embouchure change progress o.O

[mrgrimm18]

So im on my fourth day since ive changed my embouchure and my range is now up to a D with no problems... My sound still soundsnot tht powerful.....my question is why is my range uo to a D so fast? Am i pushing it? Ive been practicing long tones lip slurs etc for 20 min 4 times a day with 2 hours of rest in between is tht good? Can i damage my progress? I can go up to an A obove the staff with little stress although the sound sounds airy but i can hit it is tht good?

[razeontherock]

We need some history here: we did you need to change your embouchure, and what exactly was the change?

In any event DO NOT worry about power now - concentrate on proper mechanics, and focus on quality sound, preferably mp or quieter.

If your range functions to D in the staff and tops out at A on top of the staff, try working no higher than F# for at least a few days, if not 2 weeks.

[mrgrimm18]

Hi , well i use to play way off center and all this 3 years ive been olaying there i had range up to a double high c but everytime during gigs after 4 hours my teeth would cut through the lip and after tht i had to use more pressure because of the cut .... Little by little i lost range so i really couldnt get better because my teeth was sharp and thts why i would get cuts.... I deciced to change it to the center and noticed i can play high without getting the cut inside the lips . I also feel that it gives me more strenght to play

[royjohn]

Changing from playing way off center to close to center is a major embouchure change. It would be great if you had a teacher to advise you or at least a consultation with a good chop doc. But you probably know that. If you're needing to change without this help, you'll just have to try it and see how it works. It will work better if you don't confuse yourself by playing the old way (on gigs) and the new way (in practice), but that ought to be obvious. It also ought to be obvious that it could take a while, like weeks to months, for you to get back to playing strength on the new embouchure. That's just how it usually is and I don't think anyone can change the world for you and keep that from happening.

In other threads you talk about playing way too much and with way too much pressure. If you are serious about making a new embouchure work right, you should be attempting to play with very little pressure, trying to ease into an embouchure setting that is efficient and feels easy. Playing about ten to twenty minutes and resting a couple of hours sounds good for now. Pay attention to when your lips tire. If you go high and they tire after a minute, stop for a minute or two. You have to learn to listen to your body and your face.

You seem to be worried that the change is coming along fairly quickly and easily, but that's really good. Just because you moved to the center does not mean that you know where to place the mpc. It might need to go higher or lower or a little left or right or your jaw might need to come out or not, your jaw might need to be less open or not. Your embouchure motion (aka pivot) might be different than before and your horn angle could be different. If you concentrate on playing easily and getting the sound right, maybe this will work itself out. One thing you can try is putting petroleum jelly on your lips and the mpc and letting things slide around until they settle where you're most comfortable. Not sayin' this is going to work magic, but sometimes it helps people find the position that is right for them.

If you change embouchures, you must think that old one didn't work right so give the new one some time to settle in. It is somewhat like starting over. The first time you started on the horn, you didn't expect to play double C in a week, did you? It's going to take a while to get good on the emobouchure, so don't rush it.
_________________
royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . .

[mrgrimm18]

Wow man thanks alot for your help this is teally good advice and i appreciate it iam gonna try the jelly petroleum see how it works

[razeontherock]

This would REALLY be a good time for you to get with a Reinhardt teacher, even if it can only be done via skype. You want to settle the mouthpiece on a spot that WORKS, and make sure your mouthpiece is of a size (ID AND OD) that is even capable of working with your face. Once found, then you need to develop musculature around that, so that the mouthpiece has a "groove" where it just naturally fits.

Why go through all that only to find you need to do it again? And it's obvious you do in fact need to change something from your old set-up. My condolences - I've been there.

[royjohn]

razeontherock said: