Wet or Dry

[sean007r]

Can anyone explain the differences of a wet and/or dry set-up or is it a wet/dry embouchure?

At the last clinic I attended, Maynard mentioned he uses a dry set-up and this is what caused his lip callus.

So if I lick my chops and/or MP before I play am I using a wet set-up?

and/or

how long before I get a callus?
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Sean
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[walter]

[ This Message was edited by: walter on 2002-09-20 07:14 ]

[John Mohan]

Hi Sean,

One should always play with moistened lips. The lips need to be able to move around a bit as we play, in order to get into the best position to produce vibration in whatever register we play in - especially as we move in a slur from one range to another.

One can have too much saliva on the lips and in the mouthpiece causing a bubbly, sloppy tone. I try to avoid this by only licking my lips and the mouthpiece rim when I am playing, and not licking the inside of the cup of the mouthpiece.

There used to be a product called "Doc's Lip Salve" that was endorsed by Doc Severinsen. It was wonderful! But I don't think it's around anymore.

That's all for now,

John Mohan
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Trumpet Player, Clinician & Teacher
14 Year Claude Gordon Student
1st Trpt for "Cats", "Phantom of the Opera",
"West Side Story", "Evita", "Grease",
Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame", etc.
Burbank Benge 6x
Copy of a Mt Vernon 3C

[Mark Heuer]

I started playing trumpet in 1972. From 1972 until 2002 I played with a dry embouchure and an open setting. This resulted in excessive mouthpiece pressure. For the last two months or so I've been focusing on playing with a more closed setting and with a wet embouchure. Add a focus on using air and lip compression instead of mouthpiece pressure, and you've got a recipe for success (for me, at least). The results so far have been favorable, although there has been an adjustment period.

[ This Message was edited by: Mark Heuer on 2002-02-27 18:40 ]

[Cozy]

I used to always moisten my lips before playing. On rare occasions (winter!), pulling the dry mpc away from drip lips has "torn" the skin. Still do moisten my lips, but now moisten the mpc rim as well.
If the mpc is cold, a more common problem with a goldplate (but do like goldplate), I will moisten the cup too if the music isn't going to wait on me. Seems to cut down on the likelihood of cracking if I slightly moisten/warm the mpc along with my chops.

Cozy
http://www.cozychops.com

[_PhilPicc]

I've used "ChapStick" as long as I can remember. (Some days are better than others on that remembering, whatever) I don't use as much as I used to but I just cannot play with dry lips.

I agree that the lips have to move freely.

Question: Why is gold worse than others in cold weather?

In my HO keep them moist.

Philip S.

[_bugleboy]

A little moisture is usually helpful in getting the lips initially placed on the mouthpiece. After the lips are on the piece and playing, I don't need to move them anymore.

Play the most comfortable way.

[trumpetguy99]

For what it's worth, the principle trumpet of a symphony (I won't say where, but it's a full time orchestra) and my former college prof both played dry. Personally I can't stand to play dry, but I just like my lips and not the mouthpiece.

[sean007r]

so the bottom line is if I keep everything wet, I'm using a wet set-up regardless of how wet everything is?

and someone who does it dry NEVER moistens his/her lips and/or mouthpiece?
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Sean
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[clarion89]

Sean,

I think the bottom line is that there should be some moisture on your lips to aid in your playing, i.e. tone production, ease of vibration. Also, your body chemistry may determine what level of moisture is right for you.

In high school, I used to wet my moutpiece and lips. Now, some years later, I find that I keep my mouthpiece dry and moisten my lips with saliva. That seems to work just fine for me.

Also, in between practice sessions or gigs I'm always applying chap stick or that stuff by coppertone in the green tube - has aloe vera in it - great stuff and keeps the lips ready to play. Unfortunately, I can only find it from April - October.

Hope this helps,


_________________
Matt Wirfel

[ This Message was edited by: clarion89 on 2002-02-27 23:16 ]

[sean007r]

personally, I'm a Blistex freak!!!

I know some people complain about the taste, but I've never eaten it and I guess if there is a "taste" I've gotten used to it.

All I know is I've NEVER had any lip problems and am always told, though not lately, that I have super soft lips!!!
not that this is a good thing for a trumpet player??? which is why I'm posting these questions!!!

again...
are calluses only a concern for dry set-up players???
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Sean
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[clarion89]

Sean,

Calluses (sp?) may be a problem for both dry and wet players. Calluses, I think, are due to mouthpiece pressure on the lips over an extended period of time. I don't think calluses are a big problem, but excessive mouthpiece pressure is. I've noticed many a good trumpet player with lip calluses.
_________________
Matt Wirfel
"don't practice long, practice often" - Don Jacoby
Sound clips at: http://home.flash.net/~screech/t6/matt.html

[Yoinks]

Never even thought about it, don't intend to start. I think I would fall somewhere in between. I've taken lessons from a lot of the ablsolute top names in the industry(not trying to brag, just make a point) and none of them ever even brought that subject up.

[funkymonkey]

I tried using a dry set-up because I had chapped lips but that made me feel so uncomfortable... felt like my lips were twisting and ripping apart

I lick my lips and sometimes the rim of the mouthpiece, but I guess it's the level of comfortability(?) that counts..

[Quadruple C]

[ This Message was edited by: Quadruple C on 2003-12-18 13:53 ]