Some Questions

[connorspaul74]

I have had one lesson on the trumpet. Forgive me for the elementary level of my post but I have a few questions.

How much pressure should the mouthpiece have on your lips? Is the idea for the mouthpiece to sort of float in position causing light contact?

How much should one rest when practicing?

Thanks,

Paul

[kehaulani]

[connorspaul74]

Kehaulani,

Thanks for the reply. I think I am using too much pressure as my lips tend to hurt after playing a while.

Cheers.

[kehaulani]

If you're a novice, it's not unusual for your lips to feel funny at first but not in pain. Ease off and don't try to "build Rome in a day".
_________________
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[JayKosta]

I recommend you read my online document about embouchure basics that I mention in this thread (because it's unlikely that anyone else will ...) -
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=153158

The amount of mouthpiece pressure needs to be adequate to prevent air leakage, and to provide some support for your lips. Using mouthpiece pressure to actually ACHIEVE the desired pitch is wrong - you need to use lip muscles to control and adjust the lips for the pitch.
Don't try to achieve pitch by smashing your lips flat like a donut, that will STOP the lip vibrations.
Don't stretch your lips thin and tight like a guitar string, that along with mouthpiece pressure will cause pain and injury.

Adjusting the pitch (and playing higher) is a skill, not a muscle contest.
Don't use pictures of 'star players' who seem be using all their arm muscles to force the mouthpiece into their face when they play very high, as a guide. Yes for really extreme high pitches it can be necessary, but many excellent players never approach those pitches and don't need that lip abuse.

Yes, at the beginning you can get away with faulty embouchure technique (many of us have gone through that). But at some point, usually when you're starting to 'get good', that faulty technique will make more progress very difficult or impossible. It's better to start a little slower and learn the good technique from the beginning than to have to struggle with it later.

And you can find many many threads in the the FUNDAMENTALS section about mouthpiece pressure and embouchure.

Jay
_________________
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'.

[connorspaul74]

Thanks kehaulani, I'll try to be patient.

JayKosta that was an interesting article you created. I downloaded it and will refer back to it.

Cheers.

[Brad361]

First, welcome to TH!

Second.....ASK YOUR TEACHER IN YOUR NEXT LESSON. Seriously, that’s NOT intended to be sarcastic at all, but answering these type of questions are one of the primary reasons for having a private teacher. There are lots of knowledgeable people here, and there is nothing wrong with posting your questions, but an in-person teacher should be in a much better position to help you.

And third: stick around, let us know how it goes!

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[connorspaul74]

[Bill_Bumps]

[JayKosta]

[connorspaul74]

Some good news. The pain I was experiencing seems to have gone away. Not sure if it was technique, newness to the instrument, or some combination of the two. Regardless, I am pleased.

[Lionel]