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Jupitergas
New Member
Joined: 24 Sep 2021
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 12:05 pm Post subject: Lip (cavity??) problem |
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I’ve been playing trumpet for about three years and started taking practices more seriously about a year ago. 6 months ago I got a blister on my upper lip that hurt when I played and after letting the lip rest for a while it disappeared. However, it came back again when i resumed daily practice, and now after a longer break I have some sort of cavity/scar in the upper lip. It feels like the lip is weaker now where the blister were and it still hurts when I’m playing. Have anyone experienced something similar and did you take a complete break or just slow down practice a bit? Could it be a mouthpiece problem? Super thankful for replies and advice!  |
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JayKosta
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Joined: 24 Dec 2018
Posts: 3298
Location: Endwell NY USA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Is the sore area on the inside or outside of your lip?
And does the sore area have an active 'injury', or does it feel more 'sensitive'?
It might be a mouthpiece problem if the sore area is due to a 'pressure point' on the lip between the rim and a tooth. Or you might have a 'contact sensitivity' to the silverplate on the mouthpiece. Plastic or goldplate mouthpieces are available.
It might also just be a situation of you using excess mouthpiece rim pressure. That problem often occurs when trying to achieve higher notes.
Playing high notes is a skill, and there IS technique that needs to be learned that DOESN'T include smashing the rim against your lips! If you want more info about this, just ask and you'll get helpful responses.
_________________
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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Jupitergas
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Joined: 24 Sep 2021
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| JayKosta wrote: | Is the sore area on the inside or outside of your lip?
And does the sore area have an active 'injury', or does it feel more 'sensitive'?
It might be a mouthpiece problem if the sore area is due to a 'pressure point' on the lip between the rim and a tooth. Or you might have a 'contact sensitivity' to the silverplate on the mouthpiece. Plastic or goldplate mouthpieces are available.
It might also just be a situation of you using excess mouthpiece rim pressure. That problem often occurs when trying to achieve higher notes.
Playing high notes is a skill, and there IS technique that needs to be learned that DOESN'T include smashing the rim against your lips! If you want more info about this, just ask and you'll get helpful responses. |
Thanks for the reply!
It’s on the inside of my lip and it’s more like a sensitive thing. It hurts more when i play high notes since it feels like the sensitive part gets a bit stretched out inside the mouthpiece.
What do you mean with “pressure point” and how could I solve that with a different mouthpiece?
I think I tried to press the rim hard when playing high notes before but I’m not doing that anymore, but that’s probably how the problem started. |
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Tpt_Guy
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Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1101
Location: Sacramento, Ca
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| Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Jupitergas wrote: |
It’s on the inside of my lip and it’s more like a sensitive thing. It hurts more when i play high notes since it feels like the sensitive part gets a bit stretched out inside the mouthpiece.
What do you mean with “pressure point” and how could I solve that with a different mouthpiece?
I think I tried to press the rim hard when playing high notes before but I’m not doing that anymore, but that’s probably how the problem started. |
Try not to stretch your lip tissue out. Instead, try to get more lip tissue into the cup. Don't pull the corners of your mouth back, or smile, or any of that. While pulling a string tighter may make it vibrate faster, that doesn't work out in practice for brass instruments. Imagine squeezing a skittle between your thumb and index finger. This is closer to what you want.
As far as a "pressure point" goes, our teeth provide an irregular surface under our lips. If there are any areas of your teeth that protrude out more than your other teeth, even slightly, it can create an area where your mouthpiece feels like it is cutting more into your lip.
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-Tom Hall-
"A good teacher protects his pupils from his own influence."
-Bruce Lee |
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lipshurt
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Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Posts: 2642
Location: vista ca
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Billy B
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Posts: 6130
Location: Des Moines
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| Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Lip (cavity??) problem |
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| Jupitergas wrote: | | I’ve been playing trumpet for about three years and started taking practices more seriously about a year ago. 6 months ago I got a blister on my upper lip that hurt when I played and after letting the lip rest for a while it disappeared. However, it came back again when i resumed daily practice, and now after a longer break I have some sort of cavity/scar in the upper lip. It feels like the lip is weaker now where the blister were and it still hurts when I’m playing. Have anyone experienced something similar and did you take a complete break or just slow down practice a bit? Could it be a mouthpiece problem? Super thankful for replies and advice! |
How old are you?
Do you practice daily?
Do you have a teacher?
What sort of things do you practice?
What type of music do you play?
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Bill Bergren |
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