pressure, and the world around it

[ValveMaster]

hi there,
it seems to me after practicing a half hour, that I tend to get a ring around my lips, even after maybe 5 minutes. Anyone know how this might be happening, and what I can do about it?

[mcamilleri]

The cause is most likely excessive mouthpiece pressure, especially in the low and middle registers.

A sharpish rim bite, and rounded rim, can also make a ring more likely - many standard Bach rims are like this. Changing to a cushion rim might help, but they can also encourage the use of more mouthpiece pressure unless you are very careful. Trying specifically to reduce mouthpiece pressure is difficult, as the pressure is not the underlying cause of the problem - a less than optimum lip position combined with the habit or pressing is the cause.

If you are doing BE, this will eventually lead to less mouthpiece pressure, and the ring will lessen or dissappear. If it is not causing any particular problems at the moment, then let it be, and BE will take care of it in time.

Michael
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Alpha Angles
Besson Loyalist

[_dcstep]

The ring is "normal" for many (most) people. I don't know any lead players that don't get one. The goal should not be to get rid of the ring, but to make a good tone in the range that you play for the duration that you need to play. If you've got good range and endurance and you've still got a ring, then you must be a lead player.

Dave
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Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
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[jarrelainen]

Actually, if you get a ring from your mpc that depends on many things like how deep your veins under your skin are and the rim profile of the mpc, to mention just a few.
So, even if one doesn't use too much pressure it doesn't really matter too much whether there is a ring.
as long as it doesn't affect your tone and endurance??

Take care
/JK