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Gordontrek Veteran Member
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Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 314 Location: Huntsville, AL
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:22 am Post subject: Chops stiff as rocks! |
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What's up everyone
I just got over the flu. That's right, I had an awful cold about three weeks ago and then I got the full blown flu. Darn near the sickest I've ever been!!
I've apparently healed up just in time for our orchestra's concert on Saturday. But here's the problem: I tried to practice some this morning and my lips are stiff as rocks! I can't buzz a thing! I'm sure this is somewhat normal, especially considering it's the first time I've played in almost two weeks due to my illness. So my question to you is, how do I get my chops back in time for the concert? Is there enough time to do it? As if this isn't bad enough, I just received word that our principal won't be able to make it so I will have to play on first for this concert. It's a relatively trumpet-heavy concert- Dvorak's 8th symphony- so I will need to be in good shape.
Any ideas on how to QUICKLY restore my chops to playing order??
p.s. while I was sick my lips dried up really bad so one night I put on some Chapstick, would this have anything to do with my problem??
Thanks _________________ "May God have mercy on my enemies, because I won't." George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who have achieved all their aims probably set them too low." Herbert von Karajan
Bach 18043
Eastman ETR-830S
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dracul Veteran Member
Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 154
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:46 am Post subject: |
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Hydrate (electrolytes) and use chop saver if you can find some, it does wonders to 'soften' lips after extreme use, or in your case getting munched by vampires. _________________ Safari never ends
Schilke XA1
Kanstul ZKF 1525 |
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cbclead Veteran Member
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Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 144 Location: Louisiana
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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Like dracul said, I would hydrate and use some type of lip balm. I prefer Blistex DCT. When my chops are feeling particularly tight, I spend a lot of time on the Cichowicz long tone studies focusing on no tension and a nice, smooth, continuous air column. This usually gets me back to feeling somewhat comfortable. If that doesn't work, I will then switch to flugelhorn and do some slow, loud arpeggios from the low register into the pedal register. _________________ Yamaha 8310Z
Stomvi Maurice Andre C
Kanstul 1025 Bb Flugel
Kanstul 920 Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet |
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veery715 Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 4313 Location: Ithaca NY
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and warm up with soft long tones. Play as gently as you can.
Chances are you won't be up for the concert and you are liable to injure yourself if you jump in. This is the sad, practical truth. _________________ veery715
Hear me sing!: https://youtu.be/vtJ14MV64WY
Playing trumpet - the healthy way to blow your brains out. |
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spitvalve Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 11 Mar 2002 Posts: 2158 Location: Little Elm, TX
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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"Horse flapping" and pedal tones will help get the stiffness out of your chops, but don't force anything. Gentle warm-up! _________________ Bryan Fields
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1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces |
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spach Veteran Member
Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 424 Location: yazoo county, ms via northern calif. via central calif. via southern calif.
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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Saturday? Hmmm...now might be a good time to give your "backup" a call. _________________ WayneG
1925 (or '34) MEHA (#878**)(.460)(4 3/4" bell)(32.6 oz.)
"Where, then, does the soul reside with its better body while it awaits the sound of the trumpet?"--Stephen J. Gould |
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Billy B Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 6130 Location: Des Moines
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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Get a sub. _________________ Bill Bergren |
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solo soprano Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 856 Location: Point O' Woods / Old Lyme, Connecticut
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Slowly bending notes flat into the pedals. |
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Branson Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 503
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fuzzyjon79 Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 3014 Location: Nashville, TN
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Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:28 am Post subject: |
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Branson wrote: | Your stiff chops are a common problem with trumpet players.
The suggestions to hydrate as well as pedal tones, flexibility exercises are all valid solutions but this will also increase your natural feeling in you embouchure as well.
http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/brush-after-every-practice/ |
Jesse McGuire, former trumpeter with Tower of Power, also recommended VERY GENTLY brushing your lips with your toothbrush to remove dead skin. _________________ J. Fowler
"It takes a big ole' sack of flour, to make a big ole' pan of biscuits!" |
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VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
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Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:45 am Post subject: |
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fuzzyjon79 wrote: | Branson wrote: | Your stiff chops are a common problem with trumpet players.
The suggestions to hydrate as well as pedal tones, flexibility exercises are all valid solutions but this will also increase your natural feeling in you embouchure as well.
http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/brush-after-every-practice/ |
Jesse McGuire, former trumpeter with Tower of Power, also recommended VERY GENTLY brushing your lips with your toothbrush to remove dead skin. |
I use a washcloth in the shower for that purpose.
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
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Al Innella Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 755 Location: Levittown NY
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Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Try practicing very softly, with as little pressure as possible in short sessions with plenty of rests. If you do four 15 minute sessions during the course of the day,you will still have practiced an hour.
Sometimes if you have laid off for a prolonged amount of time,starting your first session using a tight practice type mute can also help. |
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sunmed Regular Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2011 Posts: 17 Location: Northeast
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:55 am Post subject: |
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Well.... How did you make out? |
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Branson Heavyweight Member
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Joined: 26 Jan 2011 Posts: 503
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Gordontrek Veteran Member
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Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 314 Location: Huntsville, AL
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:51 am Post subject: |
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Well, I made it through Saturday without many problems. I had loosened up most of the way by then but still felt some tightness. I stunk up the place on the second movement though
Now to get ready for tonight's typical strings-and-woodwind-oriented rehearsal of Beethoven's 5th and Capriccio Espagnol. _________________ "May God have mercy on my enemies, because I won't." George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who have achieved all their aims probably set them too low." Herbert von Karajan
Bach 18043
Eastman ETR-830S
Bach 1 |
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