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JensenW Regular Member
Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 67 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:34 pm Post subject: How do you guys get past "morning lips" |
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I am a comeback player and the best time to practice is early in the morning. Yet, I often have a case of "morning lips" which means that I often am blowing air balls early in the morning. If I wait till about late morning or early afternoon, my "morning lips" clear up and I can play without spitting air balls. But it would be helpful if I didn't have to wait.
So, the question is, how do you get over morning lips. I should point out that I plan on playing church services, which often occur in the morning. _________________ Wade
Yamaha YTR 737
The goal is to be a better trumpeter today than I was yesterday. |
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ayryq Veteran Member
Joined: 16 Feb 2019 Posts: 354 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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Lately I've been starting every day with some mouthpiece buzzing - using Jim Thompson's "Buzzing Book." You can't fake it with the mouthpiece and if I've got "morning lips" a few glissandi on the mouthpiece will usually get me going. Maybe this means that it's an "air" problem and not a "lip" problem.
For years I did a bit of warmup on a leadpipe (remove your tuning slide) which has some similar effects, plus lets you find resonance in a slot.
It does seem to be a bit worse for me in the dry winter air; maybe some lip balm would help. _________________ Yamaha YTR6345HGS Bb
Bach "Philly" C
Bach 239 Eb/D
DEG Signature 2000 Bb/A picc
Yamaha YTR-9835 Bb/A picc
Yamaha Bobby Shew flugel
Yamaha Neo cornet
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JayKosta Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 3366 Location: Endwell NY USA
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe a cup of hot water or hot chocolate. Tea might be too astringent, but coffee might be ok. Hydrate.
Use a lip balm before going to sleep. _________________ Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'. |
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mafields627 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Nov 2001 Posts: 3782 Location: AL
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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I would suggest looking at the Bill Adam subforum here and reading everything you can about blowing the leadpipe. _________________ --Matt--
No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher! |
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JensenW Regular Member
Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 67 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies. I do drink coffee, but I will try some of the other tricks of the trade. _________________ Wade
Yamaha YTR 737
The goal is to be a better trumpeter today than I was yesterday. |
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Dale Proctor Heavyweight Member
Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 9384 Location: Heart of Dixie
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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I’ll add that avoiding salty foods at night will help. _________________ "Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9143 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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I don't recall reading it above, but perhaps it would help to end each playing day with a good, gentle warm down, focusing your chops. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
"Well, even if I could play like Wynton, I wouldn't play like Wynton." Chet Baker
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Selmer K-Modified Light Trumpet (for sale)
Benge 3X Cornet |
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Goby Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Jun 2017 Posts: 655
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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Try playing a shallow mouthpiece. When I switched from a C cup to D, and now E cup, I've found that my lips swell less when I play (less lip intrusion into the cup), which means they're less swollen/sore the next day. I can warm up much quicker and haven't had nearly as hard of a time playing in the morning as I used to. It takes a couple weeks to get your regular sound out of the piece as you adjust to the smaller volume, but once you figure it out, it works great. |
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tptptp Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Oct 2001 Posts: 1410 Location: Georgia
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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I've had this problem for many years. I think it's due to swelling of the lips, making them less responsive to vibration.
Lying down for hours causes redistribution of fluid that has been in the lower ("dependent") parts of the body all day while we were upright. When you look in the mirror in the morning, you can see the swelling around your eyes. You can't really see it in the lips because there isn't much loose space there, but there is enough fluid to mess with lip function.
What has helped me is to arise several hours before playing (helps that fluid to be redistributed by gravity). Also, open the lip aperture a fraction, while using less pressure than usual.
Oh, and I think in my case the problem has gotten worse with age. _________________ Craig Mitchell |
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JensenW Regular Member
Joined: 12 Dec 2012 Posts: 67 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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tptptp,
I think you have hit on something. I is like my lips are stiff as if swollen. I don't drink alcohol, and limit salt. But your idea about redistributing fluids during sleep has merit, but if true, I don't see anything I can do except wait it out. _________________ Wade
Yamaha YTR 737
The goal is to be a better trumpeter today than I was yesterday. |
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JoseLindE4 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 791
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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We tend to get better at what we practice. If you want to play well early in the morning, practice early in the morning. In time, your body will likely adapt. |
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TrumpetMD Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 2434 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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For whatever reason, I have the opposite problem. I play best in the morning. And the longer I wait to play, the stiffer my chops feel.
I also think the way our chops feel on any given day may be directly related to how much we abused them the day before. For example, it's tough to play in the morning, if you played a lot the night before.
Mike _________________ Bach Stradivarius 43* Trumpet (1974), Bach 6C Mouthpiece.
Bach Stradivarius 184 Cornet (1988), Yamaha 13E4 Mouthpiece
Olds L-12 Flugelhorn (1969), Yamaha 13F4 Mouthpiece.
Plus a few other Bach, Getzen, Olds, Carol, HN White, and Besson horns. |
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ebolton Veteran Member
Joined: 03 Feb 2021 Posts: 123 Location: New Hampshire, USA
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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I usually get a few minutes to practice in the morning, but I do my more significant session after work. My morning session is always better. I don't feel any different as far as playing the trumpet physically, but cognitively I'm better before work than after. I think some people are morning people, and some are not. _________________ -Ed |
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Jaw04 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2015 Posts: 911 Location: Bay Area, California
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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I never have to perform in the morning so I just don't worry about it. I rarely touch the trumpet before 10 AM. If I had early gigs I would play in the morning more and get used to it. |
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Dayton Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 2090 Location: USA
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 1:41 am Post subject: |
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I have a similar problem, and learned a technique from Bobby Shew that helps:
Roll your lips in together so that they are over the tops of your front teeth and then very gently "chew" on your lips for 10 seconds or so. Then roll your lips in and out for a few seconds. Repeat that sequence several times over 10-15 minutes, along with some free buzzing (lip flapping).
Good luck! |
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GeorgeB Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Apr 2016 Posts: 1063 Location: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:02 am Post subject: |
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My daily 5 am morning practice starts with a series of Chicowitz flow studies. My usual morning spitty tone is gone after a few bars.
George _________________ GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet |
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Bill Ortiz Heavyweight Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:13 am Post subject: |
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Sometimes when I have an early church gig the morning after a strenuous performance the night before, I take an Advil before I leave in the morning and that seems to help. Plus lots of free buzzing and pedal tones when I warm up for early gig. _________________ '56 Martin Committee Deluxe #2 trumpet
14B Schilke mouthpiece
Couesnon Paris flugelhorn
Bob Reeves Sleeves and PVA |
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zaferis Heavyweight Member
Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 2360 Location: Beavercreek, OH
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 5:20 am Post subject: |
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I have to start my day earlier.
Even after 25 years of USAF band with frequent rehearsals and gigs early in the day, I was and still am much more comfortable later in the day. I don't like early gigs.
I wake up early enough to take a hot shower, brush teeth (both help get the blood flowing / muscles loose). A hot drink - coffee, tea..
Then a stress free warm-up session early enough to have a break afterwards before the event. So, 30-40 minute warm'up/routine, at least 30 minute break (I prefer a full hour), then I'm more likely ready to go.
If it's really a bad day-the chops don't respond, I may try to do a little more stretching - from whole body stretching, breathing, etc, to some more gentle playing. _________________ Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman |
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Seymor B Fudd Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Oct 2015 Posts: 1491 Location: Sweden
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 7:54 am Post subject: |
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I side with Zaferis. I have a hard time, always had, with playing early in the morning. So I will have to rise early in order to make possible a gentle warm up session, length somewhat varying depending on the state of my chops - then I´ll have my breakfast whereupon I return to the warming up. First part no longer than up to before lips becoming to feel somewhat swollen.
I do low Clarke´s, gentle double pedals, low lip flexibilities etc. etc.
Seems that the time between the first warm up and next session is extremely important - as is the time to the performance (mostly in a church). I remember a church concert at Kerkrade, Netherlands, 52 years ago, I occupied the soprano chair, a tiny Czech contraption, first note a high A. It was 7 am. I put the horn to my lips and blew. Nothing came out, not even air.....
Also I´ve found that what I do the night/day before play-wise is important; heavy gigging is not an option.
The system has to become initialized, then idling, then I can get going, however not revving up too soon. _________________ Cornets: mp 143D3/ DW Ultra 1,5 C
Getzen 300 series
Yamaha YCRD2330II
Yamaha YCR6330II
Getzen Eterna Eb
Trumpets:
Yamaha 6335 RC Schilke 14B
King Super 20 Symphony DB (1970)
Selmer Eb/D trumpet (1974)
Last edited by Seymor B Fudd on Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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adagiotrumpet Heavyweight Member
Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 916
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:50 am Post subject: |
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Soft long tones and Schlossberg. |
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