Lips Slurs: Easy or Hard?

[horntooter]

Are lip slurs supposed to be hard or easy?

I think they are a perfect warmup. Start low and slow and build speed and range. Use the air to push through and do the work, don't force it by squeezing the lips. When you are done with about 30 minutes of lip slurs like this, you know exactly where all the notes on the horn are that day. I feel strong and solid and ready for real work.

Talking with some other players in groups I'm in, I find most people have the opposite impression. They think lip slurs are hard and taxing on the chops, and that it would be crazy to do that to yourself in your warmup (especially on gig days). I've even heard the phrase, "I use them to strengthen the chops."

So what does Trumpet Herald think? (Maybe this should be a poll...if I can figure that out) Are lip slurs hard or easy?

[spitvalve]

"Lip slurs" is kind of a misnomer. It really involves the whole apparatus, especially the tongue level and the wind. When I was a kid I was told that lip slurs were great, so I started practicing them--using just my lips, which caused a lot of chop fatigue and smiley-face embouchure. When I figured out (by accident) that my chops shouldn't have to move so much, I started using the tongue almost instinctively. Later teachers I had confirmed this for me. I like the term "flexibilities" without the emphasis on the word "lip."
_________________
Bryan Fields
----------------
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

[zaferis]

I didn't know how to vote, here's my answer:

hard to master
easy when mastered
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[horntooter]

As you are probably aware from my post, I completely agree with you. I was just trying to use the most common term. I know some people use the term "tongue level exercises" as well (as flexibility studies).

[brassjunky]

I chose "don't know" because I think it depends. I notice my trumpet students find them hard as they move into the mid upper register but they get easier as they develop more embouchure strength. I also notice that slurs are easier on some horn-mouthpiece combinations than others. Some horns lock in the notes strongly requiring more effort to slur between and some mouthpieces, particularly flatter rims make it harder. Narrower, rounder rims make it easier.
_________________
Cannonball 789RSL
YFH635ST Flugel
Blessing Artist Cornet (1947)

[jiarby]

everything that is hard becomes easy with enough correct practice.

[jhopkins7]

I use flexibility studies as a part of my warmup as well, albeit "easy" ones. I would say that slurs in general are not difficult, and the mechanisms needed to execute them properly are essential components to align daily as part of the warmup. Building the foundation to do this, however...not so easy.

I'm most successful when I keep in mind that all of the moving parts (air, tongue, chops) must be steady and balanced to achieve accurate and fluid slurs. So...fairly easy to execute, but fairly hard to learn in the first place.
_________________
-Jon
Getzen Genesis 3003 Bb
Bach Strad MLV/72 Bb
Bach 229 C
Warburton mpcs

[razeontherock]

I was taught using all the correct terminology, but nobody taught me that slurring and even changing registers really shouldn't require much movement in the face until I was well into my 40's. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, watch either Alison Balsam or Tine Thing Helseth play. Their embouchures exhibit approximately zero motion, and they both certainly make anything sound easy. I don't think that's a coincidence ...

[Harky]

[jengstrom]

[VetPsychWars]

I wrote easy, because some of them are. I'm working the Irons 7 through 11 as instructed... and for me, those currently are hard. When I've mastered them and they feel easy I know I'm going to feel like I can conquer anything!

Tom
_________________
1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1

[MJo]

Not enough options. Some are easy, some are hard, some that are hard quickly become less hard and then easy, etc. etc. But no question: they are essential. 30 minutes of them as a warm-up, however, seems excessive; but incorporated as part of the day's program of practice -- that seems more reasonable.

[razeontherock]

[superviking805]

Easy, I spent 2 years learning to "ride the wind" slurring everything. This turned out to be too much of a good thing. One day in rehearsal I am having a wonderful time octave slurring slamming into the lower slot when the fellow next me says, "Someone is slurring, it's supposed to be tongued."

I was horrified to realize I wasn't articulating as slurring was easier. Took awhile to find the proper practice balance between tongued and slurred.

[markp]

Lip slurs are a litmus test for me, to help in determining if a horn is right for me, as well as the correct mouthpiece choice, and whether the gap is right.

They are easy as pie if everything is right, but ragged and difficult if not.

[horntooter]

[musicman0097]

They're both. When I first started them, obviously, they would be challenging. Now as I find my chops getting stronger, they are easier....until I get to the next level. I do like them to warm-up and to see where my chops are and in a way reset them.

Matthew
_________________
Matthew Porter

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure"- Colin Powell

[razeontherock]

[horntooter]

[razeontherock]

Not to mention the drummers (the implication being that neither singers nor drummers are musicians. Not true, just a joke that's often not so very sly)