Pressure--sometimes

musicmonkey · Veteran Member Joined: 01 Jan 2002 Posts: 344

The amount of pressure I use when playing trumpet varies drastically; basically, I have no consistency.

When I do exercises, improv, or play most band/jazz band music, I use little pressure, keeping my chops feeling good.

But when I play some of the music my instructor assigns to me (mostly classical trumpet solo literature), I find myself using more pressure, and not just on the higher passages.

I have two theories.

First, the trumpet is on my face for more time when I play the solo pieces (by the nature of the music). Perhaps the increased amount of time causes my air to run out, and therefore I rely more on pressure.

Second, the rhythms are harder to read and the intervals more difficult to hear in the solo pieces; perhaps I focus too much on producing the notes and forget the other aspeccts of trumpet playing.

Essentially, the solo music is more demanding, and that causes me to use more pressure. But, how do I remedy this? Just playing easy music doesnt seem like a good solution; is there an approach I could take which would make difficult music easier on the chops, especially while I am working out the rhythms and intervals?

Thanks,
Nate

Brewblue1 · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:23 pm Post subject:

_dcstep · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:00 pm Post subject:

This month's ITG Journal has an article about mpc pressure comparing three players, two amateurs and a pro. Their hours of playing varied from an hour a week to several hours per day. They all increased pressure as they went up in range, but the pro did much less so than the less experienced players.

The sample was small, so it may not be tremendously meaningful, BUT it seems to show that the less trained you are the more pressure you're likely to use. Practicing more can help you reduce pressure, OR it may just toughen your lips.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

mheffernen5 · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject:

Maybe your lips are just tired. Maybe pressure is an issue. That is why some trombone player was selling a trumpet.

bmjcook · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:15 pm Post subject:

Why dont you try practicing the solos more, and giving the exercises a break for awhile? I am pretty sure this will help. I play cornet solos with a Salvation Army band and find that the Arbans exercises help with articulation but the endurance needed to play the solos is gained from practicing the solos.
You are right when you say that your horn seems to be on your face longer and this is where endurance comes into it
Cookie