Piccolo Trumpet Playing... Help?

[Gingrai 02]

Hi all,

I recently obtained a used picc, and I am loving the thing (surprisingly). One thing is bothering me a pretty great amount though. I did a bit of research and settled down on the fact that these instruments are their own, and shouldn't be approached as a normal Bb / C trumpet. First off, this statement seems correct, but is this correct?

Second, following that line of thought, I have started smartly practicing this horn, and during my practice I realize that my embouchure shifts quite significantly... Most of the mouthpiece shifts to my bottom lip, leaving only a small part still on my top lip. I begin to use an overbite as well. I normally have a near 50 / 50 split top and bottom lip on my big horns and the "appropriate" overbite.

In Bb/ C playing, a little bit of overbite is helpful for range, but is it helpful the same way in picc playing? Also, should I fight to keep that same 50 / 50 split on the picc, or should I not worry too much about it since this horn is definitely it's own beast.

I just want to be sure I'm playing in a way that won't destroy any good progress I make with picc performance.

Thanks!

[trpt.hick]

You list several things, and have several questions. First of all, I recommend using the same embouchure for all of your horns, although you may want to use different mouthpieces for various repertoire.

The approach to the piccolo trumpets can be similar to the big horns as long as you are A) playing fairly loudly, and B) playing in the same range as the big horns. However, the approach for the high clarino style requires a lighter, less forceful approach. It is like singing falsetto. . . not all that much air, generally in the pp to mf dynamics, and light articulation. This is why piccolo playing can be quite difficult. . . not because it is harder than regular playing, but because it is different. It takes time to develop the light touch.

For correct Baroque style on works for trumpet by Bach, Handel, Torelli, Telemann, Scarlatti, and especially those of M. Haydn, L. Mozart, Molter, Hertel, Richter, Riepel, Querfurth, and Stamitz, I recommend finding recordings of Otto Sauter, Wolfgang Bauer, Matthias Hoffs, and recordings on natural trumpet by Jean-Francois Madeuf. Of course, Maurice Andre was considered the greatest piccolo player ever, but he tended to play louder than most Baroque specialists.

David Hickman

[HaveTrumpetWillTravel]

Replying belatedly because I am also trying piccolo and noticed in embouchure shift. In my case it was 100% pressure related. I shift up onto my top lip. I used to do this on Bb and I think the problem is/was that my embouchure is not strong enough and the corners are not tight enough. With ordinary playing there is no problem, but when I use too much pressure the mouthpiece starts to slide. Perhaps this is what is happening with the OP?

I also recently ordered Professor Hickman's piccolo books and have been grateful for the videos he's added on piccolo in the last year.

[Gingrai 02]

Want to thank both of you for your replies!

I have considered the suggestions regarding my embouchure in piccolo trumpet playing, and decided to take Mr. Hickman's advice. I think the slow and steady building of ones embouchure to refine the "light touch" is much more meaningful and beneficial in the long run.

I will have to continue to consider the advantages / disadvantages of extreme embouchure placement in my practice on any horn. Always something to be learned in the pursuit of music and playing

Sincerely,

Will

[cheiden]

I think you're on the right track. If you ultimately find that you can't manage without a embouchure shift then you might benefit trying a slightly small mouthpiece I can play my picc with my Bb piece but I find it feels more natural on a somewhat smaller ID. I go from that of a Yamaha 14 to an 11. I doubt I'd ever use the 11 on the Bb but on the picc it just works better for me.
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
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[trpt.hick]

Will,

By "light touch" I am not referring to mouthpiece pressure. I am referring to the type of sound and volume level. I hope I made that clear in my first post. Mouthpiece pressure should be your normal.

DH

[Ed Kennedy]

[cheiden]

[Vin DiBona]

Alison Balsom uses a 1 1/4C for her larger horns.
For her pic, she uses a Warburton 4MD.(Backbore unknown).
Of course, she is a bit "better" than a majority of players here.
R. Tomasek

[Shark01]

So I was playing a completely different mouthpiece on Piccolo, at the moment though, I’m keeping the same diameter (Wedge 65), a smaller cup (small vs large) and a Larger backbore (but same 25 throat).

[x9ret]