Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 2:42 pm Post subject: Thanks for the video!
Very helpful for overall strengthening. Especially liked the way he used the term "grip" in the video. Now imagine that one side of the chops don't "grip" as well as the other. How can I get one side of chops to "catch up" with the other?
Posted: Sun May 24, 2020 5:51 am Post subject: One side stronger than other
One thing to remember, the weaker side won't strengthen if it is overworked constantly to "keep up" with the other side. You need to balance out both sides so and not let the stronger side dominate. That could possibly cause compromise of free vibration of the embouchure. So, work on easy exercises that keep both sides in balance until the weaker side gets stronger. This may take a long time so be patient.
Joined: 24 Aug 2020 Posts: 32 Location: Phoenix, Az
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 6:20 pm Post subject:
Hey Mike, I have exactly the same problem. My new instructor said the “Caruso 6 note” exercise will probably help. (YouTube has several videos explaining it and it is posted online. It is very simple).
It is designed to strengthen the embochure (both sides) but after a while the left side “should” catch up with the right. I just recently started it so it’s too soon to tell if it will help.
If it does, I’ll let you know. If you find something that works, please let me know. I always like to have options.
Mark
Last edited by MarkD on Fri Aug 20, 2021 11:37 am; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 31 Dec 2015 Posts: 899 Location: California
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 6:58 pm Post subject:
I have also had issues with this. I second MarkD's recommendation of doing Caruso exercises in the mirror. Don't try to overly tighten one side, but just engage a little bit if you notice it drooping.
If you have an unbalanced embouchure, it can be difficult to tell if one side is getting more fatigued because its weaker, or if its because you are tensing it too much. I would recommend err on the side of keeping the chops relatively loose rather than too tight while playing in the middle register.
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