Question about range

beginner #1 · Regular Member Joined: 07 Jan 2002 Posts: 62

4 days ago, I started to decrease the mpc. pressure I was playing with. I am felling that my chops are feeling muscular. Does range decrease if you start to do this automatically without any pro advice? Is it dangerous to do this? Should I keep playing middle and low range notes to keep my embouchure muscular and not inflamed? All answers would be appreciated.

Matt

ahtpt · Regular Member Joined: 16 Mar 2002 Posts: 51

well, as far as keeping your embouchure muscular and not inflamed, I'm not really sure what you mean by this. However, decreasing the mouthpiece pressure against your lips is a good thing, as long as you retain at least a seal between the mp. and lips. (ie, make sure you still produce a good sound!). When you are decreasing mouthpiece pressure, be sure and use plenty of air though. In my experience, the air begins to take the place of the pressure you HAD to use before, and thus enables you to play for longer periods of time, with better tone, range, and all the other things we trumpeters strive for