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Figuring out Balanced Embouchure



 
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mike ansberry
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Location: Clarksville, Tn

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 8:54 pm    Post subject: Figuring out Balanced Embouchure Reply with quote

I've been working on the B.E. method for a few months. I've been able to play pedal tones for decades due to a 3 year stint working the Claude Gordon method. So it didn't take long to get the hang of the B.E. method of pedal tones. But I had little success with getting the hang of the Roll In embouchure. For a long time I could do the lip clamp, but could not get the feel of playing rolled in. I couldn't find the lips/embouchure set up and couldn't get much of a sound with the rolled in setting.

The last couple of days playing with the rolled in embouchure is starting to work. Today I feel like I'm really starting to get the hang of it. My Fs and Gs are huge. G#, A, & Bb are coming out but not usable. I just played all the way through Let's Groove (EWF) without tiring at all. The only problem is that I'm over shooting notes above the staff. I guess that will come with practice.

My Momma taught me to never expect much and I won't be disappointed. So I'm not much of an optimist. I just hope things keep progressing.
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JVL
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Joined: 07 Feb 2016
Posts: 892
Location: Nissa, France

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hello
i think that sometimes, our brain, our "reason" become too dictatorial.
They must must give us a direction, way, sense, but that must remain principles. And the body's intelligence has to tell us if we're on the right track.
Why keep on doing this or that if we don't get, after a lot of time, good results ?
We must balance the theory with the practical (reality).
I mean that maybe you're not a "roll in" type...
best
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Lionel
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Joined: 25 Jul 2016
Posts: 783

PostPosted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:40 am    Post subject: Re: Figuring out Balanced Embouchure Reply with quote

mike ansberry wrote:
I've been working on the B.E. method for a few months. I've been able to play pedal tones for decades due to a 3 year stint working the Claude Gordon method. So it didn't take long to get the hang of the B.E. method of pedal tones. But I had little success with getting the hang of the Roll In embouchure. For a long time I could do the lip clamp, but could not get the feel of playing rolled in. I couldn't find the lips/embouchure set up and couldn't get much of a sound with the rolled in setting.

The last couple of days playing with the rolled in embouchure is starting to work. Today I feel like I'm really starting to get the hang of it. My Fs and Gs are huge. G#, A, & Bb are coming out but not usable. I just played all the way through Let's Groove (EWF) without tiring at all. The only problem is that I'm over shooting notes above the staff. I guess that will come with practice.

My Momma taught me to never expect much and I won't be disappointed. So I'm not much of an optimist. I just hope things keep progressing.


If you're popping loud G's/High C then you've done a fine job at incorporating various elements of both Claude Gordon and Heff Smiley. I mean shucks, not a lot of trumpet players progress to the level of physical ability you just described.

As for the notes above high G? These are the notes which commonly become sticky. Back before my embouchure injury I had found a good deal of help playing these tones by using the Roy Stevens "Palm" practice method. Where you balance the trumpet's valve casing on your palm only. Then practice ascending into the upper register. As this develops the ability to blow high notes with less arm pressure.

No one seems to know exactly why so many trumpet players have trouble playing the notes above high G. However my best guess is that our arm pressure distorts the aperture in the embouchure. In turn this can prevent the execution of certain notes. Usually around the high A. So learn to play softly and with only normal contact pressure of the mouthpiece on the lips. This will imorove your production of these notes.

PS: If what you say is true? You're playing at least slightly better high notes than I ever did even before my injury.
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trumpetplanet
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Joined: 05 Feb 2012
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Location: Bristol, UK

PostPosted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 6:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you considered asking in the dedicated Balanced Embouchure forum?
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kehaulani
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Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Posts: 8965
Location: Hawai`i - Texas

PostPosted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't know if @Mike'll read this, OP was in Sept., but there's another way of saying almost the same thing as "My Momma taught me to never expect much and I won't be disappointed", but with more optimism, and that's, "Expect the worse and hope for the best". Try it, you'll like it.

Lionel - thanks for using paragraphs. Makes reading easier.
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