Getting wet

trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

I've been a "dry" set up player for as long as I can remember. Always wiping my chops dry before setting up, wiping mouthpiece dry, and constantly fearing slippage.

In January I wanted to make an honest effort to play with a "wet" set up. Right a way I discovered better flexibility, getting through different registers was easier, slurs and such, also easier.

But, I also noticed endurance was not as good, I would also slip a bit and lose my seal, and my articulation seemed sloppier.

However, I persisted and now I'm at a place where a new habit has formed and I think it's an improvement. My chops feel fresher, fuller, and my sound seems richer.

Anybody else ever go from dry to wet, and have improvements?

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2628

trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

I'll try and post a pic. I've never had any luck on the TH posting pics. I've read the instructions, tried to use photo-bucket and the links etc...but no luck.

If your theory is my chops are loaded with scars, you're correct. I think dry players do more chop damage of the years because of friction and lack of natural lube.

Brad361 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Getting wet

trumpet.sanity · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 763

Lots of guys are dry players, as we all know.

Ever notice how beat up their chops are? I think dry players get more "grip" but a lot of dry players chops I've seen are loaded with scars.

Just another reason I'm trying to get wet. My chops are mangled!!

Schilke Nate · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 3:57 pm Post subject: wet / dry

I am a combination. I prefer dry skin and wet lips. I really like the mouthpiece to stay in place and the red part of the lip to move freely. I am constantly drying the mouthpiece rim and skin and then licking my lips immediately before I set it in place.

I have always been confused by the description of "wet" so I'm wondering how you would describe what I do. Is that wet or dry? Either way, works for me with no damage or scaring.
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dershem · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:58 pm Post subject:

The stronger my cops are, the more I play wet. But when I'm just ... off, dry is easier. Less flexible, less powerful, less in tune, but easier.

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2628

Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2628

Schilkes22 · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2017 2:20 am Post subject:

I've always been and still am a "dry" player. Is there an informative link as to the differences and how to go about changing? It would be something i"d like to take a look at. Thanks..
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brassmusician · Veteran Member Joined: 25 Feb 2016 Posts: 273

the wet/dry thing seems to relate a lot to the grip or purchase the lips have on the rim. Another angle to try then is changing the mouthpiece rim - gold being the most slippery to silver (less so) then tarnished silver (which I like) to very lightly sanded which I know some players do. Also a rim with a sharper, less round outer rim can provide grip for the chops. So I think if you like the grip dry lips provide you could go to a wet embouchure more easily by one of these methods.