Lopsided embouchure

Esrc · New Member Joined: 07 Jul 2019 Posts: 10

Hi,

I've recently noticed that the left side of my embouchure is weaker. I noticed when I was practicing a few days ago and was finishing off with a range study and as I went up my left side began to blow out and leak air even though the right side was fine. I did a bit of messing around in a mirror and also found that the left corner of my embouchure is lower than the right and that as I play higher I pull my mouthpiece to the right. I think this is because the right side "tightens" more then the left so out of habit I've begun accomodating that. I've tried sorting it and found if I set my embouchure before I put the mouthpiece to my lips as long as I conciously make the effort to hold each side as firm as each other these problems go. The issue is though that I get tired much quicker like this and it's difficult to maintain it without the left side "collapsing" again.

My question is does that actually count as a problem and if I should just develop the whole embouchure or is is something I should work on? If I do need to fix it how do you strengthen one side more than the other?

Sorry if I've rambled, thanks
Evan

Richard III · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 9:34 am Post subject:

I've had the same problem. Making sure the left side is firm and it will get stronger. The more you play the stronger it will get. The nice thing is that the right side doesn't need much attention. Eventually all will be good. When the rest of the section is starting to make those horse flap sounds, I just keep playing. Having strong corners and maintaining the embouchure without falling victim to excess pressure will make playing that much more fun and you will last longer.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

Esrc · New Member Joined: 07 Jul 2019 Posts: 10

Thanks for your help, good to have another players insight 😁

jgrim492 · New Member Joined: 06 May 2019 Posts: 5

I have this problem as well. For years I have tried to correct it. I was successful in moving it slightly back to center but it's still not quite there. I feel that I am getting my best sound where it's at. When I try to move it to the middle, my tone is "airy." Keep looking in the mirror and try to pull it over if you can. You'll get it eventually!

Andy Del · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:49 am Post subject:

It might help to know why this is happening. Is it just the cumulation of por playing habits? A general weakness on that side? An injury?

While you may be able to go a distance with self-examination and replying on internet forums, nothing will beat a good teacher / chop doc who can assess what is going on with a degree of experience and knowledge. And they, if they are good, will know when o pass you on to other specialists if there seems to be a need.

The alternative is to flounder about thinking one is doing the right thing...

cheers

Andy
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so many horns, so few good notes...

Esrc · New Member Joined: 07 Jul 2019 Posts: 10

I think it comes from an earlier problem where I played really far on the left so I guess the right side developed much quicker than the left to match up.

And re a teacher I do have a really good one who I see about once a month and then a trombonist who I'm sure is great at trombone teaching but a bit uncomfortable with trumpet technique who I see weekly at school who gets me threw pieces for exams and stuff (he's not ideal but good enough and in the right area etc).
The reason I ask here is because school has broken up for summer now and the trumpeter is quite ill at the moment so I haven't really got anyone to ask and I thought that if it was a problem the 6 weeks without band commitments and stuff would be a good time to start working on it

Richard III · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 3:13 pm Post subject:

Another thing that really helped was the John Daniel book. His exercises such as the hoo and poo attacks really centered the embouchure for me and emphasized the push forward pucker. Quickly the muscles learned the coordination needed to correct the weak side.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

JayKosta · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Lopsided embouchure

Esrc · New Member Joined: 07 Jul 2019 Posts: 10

I've only just noticed it so we haven't really discussed it and when I think of how the tightening affects my lips I think of both sides firming up pulling back a little from my normal position but pushing forward a little in the centre.

JayKosta · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 7:57 am Post subject:

Esrc · New Member Joined: 07 Jul 2019 Posts: 10

That would make sense. I think some of it may just come from being less tense in the centre to let the lips buzz more freely as well.

Bill_Bumps · Veteran Member Joined: 07 May 2019 Posts: 157

For whatever it's worth, I've always read that Ziggy Elman played with an off-center embouchure.

As Harry James described him:

"Ziggy's [embouchure] is two-thirds top and one-third bottom and dangerously close to his ear."

Andy Del · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 12:19 pm Post subject:

JVL · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2019 2:34 pm Post subject:

hello

flutter first, side by side, one cheeck, then the other one.

do short attacks, lip buzzing, with 2 fingers at the contact points of your mpc

this, with time, will balance your embouchure, if you do it correctly.

maybe a lesson with Bobby Shew or Roger Ingram...
best