How can I get out of a rut?

classycal · New Member Joined: 09 Aug 2021 Posts: 3

I’ve been stuck in a rut playing-wise for a couple weeks now, and I’m getting kind of desperate because I have an audition in about a month.

The horn feels physically different against my lips, and my embouchure looks different when I see myself play in the mirror. To me it looks like my lips are a little puckered, and it also like more of my top lip is rolled in, or in the mouthpiece. If anyone has read Jeff Smiley’s book The Balance Embouchure, I suspect I’ve somehow developed a button embouchure. My range is limited compared to what it used to be, often airing out higher notes or not being able to hold them out. Or playing them but with great difficulty/strain.

I’ll admit I’ve been pretty lazy with practicing these days which I’m sure hasn’t helped, but even with efforts to practice regularly I see no improvement. It’s hard to get myself to practice when I sound so bad and playing is so difficult, so it’s just a vicious cycle. I’ve also found in the past that changes in diet/exercise patterns has a great bearing on my playing, and I’ve been guilty of both recently. But I’m making changes for my health so I’m not sure what to do about that.

TLDR: Audition coming up but in a rut and playing poorly, any advice or insights greatly appreciated.

Dayton · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2022 11:58 pm Post subject:

Try doing something differently for a couple of days to get out of the rut. Don't worry about your audition music, or Arban's double tonguing exercises. Play along with the Terry Gibbs Dream Band, Donald Byrd, the Boston Symphony playing Sibelius...whatever you enjoy. Just have fun for a couple of days. Hopefully that will help address the rut.

Looking beyond that, reach out to your teacher...or a teacher...and get in for a lesson(s). Work with your teacher to figure out what is going on with your chops. The weeks before an audition are not the time to mess around with your embouchure, but you need help to figure out what is going on and what to do about it.

You can also ask your teacher for help in putting together a routine to help you get ready for your audition, and then diligently and intelligently follow the routine.

At the same time, do some reflecting on why you want to play the trumpet. Your motivation to practice needs to come from within; you need to figure out why it is worthwhile (for you).

Good luck!

Mike Prestage · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:36 am Post subject:

abontrumpet · Heavyweight Member Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1763

Here's how to get yourself in the best possible position for success without knowing you or seeing you play:

1. Do not obsess about the physical appearance of the embouchure. It also doesn't do much good to obsess about the physical feeling of the embouchure. Changes can happen subconsciously and often I am surprised when I see a photo of me while playing.

2. Get your face to feel fresh. Fatigue is the worst possible state you can keep your face in for forward progress or "embouchure" issues.

3. More than diet or exercise, go to sleep at the same time everyday and wake up at the same time every day. Nothing affects all of this more than sleep.

4. Don't worry about extremes, just worry about the skills you need for your audition. Chances are maybe you can't hold out a high C for 12 seconds but can you play your audition stuff with the sound and musicality you need while nailing about 95% of it? Then don't worry about the other stuff. But do play a combination of new stuff and old stuff this week like the other posters have said.

If I had you in person I would just make sure of some other things, but just focus on 1-4 unless you want to reach out to me in a private message. Have fun.

JayKosta · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 4:59 am Post subject:

Try to identify any 'little things' that have changed in your daily activities.

For me, if I'm tired physically it impacts my embouchure control, and mental concentration. If I eat spicy food before playing, that impacts my lip sensitivity and control. Might even be something such as seasonal allergies.
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kehaulani · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:52 am Post subject:

Simple.
Don't micro-manage your technique and appearance.
Get a good teacher or coach. Sounds to me that you need a second party and fresh set of eyes.
Get a regular practice time and stick to it.
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Bethmike · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:43 am Post subject:

JayKosta wrote:

kehaulani · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 10:57 am Post subject:

^^^
I find the hardest part isn't carrying through with my practicing, it's just taking the first step. Once realizing this, I do something, anything-maybe just picking up and looking at my horn. Then putting it to my lips.

Once I can get through this first step, the rest is easier.
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Vin DiBona · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:04 pm Post subject:

Take a day off and clear your mind.
R. Tomasek[/b]

LaTrompeta · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 8:58 am Post subject:

Jaw04 · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:04 pm Post subject:

Listen to awesome music, find a recording that really fires you up and listen to it over and over again.

shofarguy · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:38 am Post subject:

cheiden · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:42 am Post subject:

Make sure your gear is in good working order. If you're not sure then take it to a shop or a trusted trumpet player. Sometimes things drift south when there's build-up in the horn or mouthpiece. Sometimes a leak develops in a solder joint or cork.
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Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2594

Billy B · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 1:51 pm Post subject:

"That's the saddest story I have ever heard. You have my complete sympathy"
H.L. Clarke
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TheHighNotes · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 1:16 pm Post subject:

huntman10 · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 1:37 pm Post subject:

Beware, the difference between a rut and a grave may just be dimensions!

Or maybe factor in duration of stay. Not sure which, but they are related!

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Bachatit · Regular Member Joined: 19 Dec 2017 Posts: 57

-Stuck in a rut
-Desperate
-Embouchure feels different
-Guilty (of bad habits)
-Preparation concerns (audition in 1 month)
-Limited range

Welcome to the trumpet! I would suggest that accepting what all trumpet players experience as constant distractions will bring you some relief and, perhaps, bring you to a place where you can concentrate on the real problem, ie. the sound (technical accuracy and musical expressiveness). This is not something easily done! Make being a better player today than you were yesterday the goal (no matter how small that improvement is!) and not a perfect audition. Don't worry about how "bad" you sound but rather focus on what you want to sound like and aim for that. The target is difficult to hit (impossible?) but getting closer is what makes it a worthwhile endeavor IMO. More specific advice on playing the instrument is beyond the scope of this commenter (me). Best

LaTrompeta · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 10:22 pm Post subject:

To the OP:
Do you have a private teacher? What does he/she say? I have gotten stuck in ruts before and usually it was beyond my own personal capacity to pull myself out.

This goes for anything in life. If you are stuck in a rut of, say, depression and/or anxiety, you need somebody else, who is able to look at your life objectively, to help you out of it.
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