When Rest Your Chops (Embouchure)

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*This is part IV of the ‘making trumpet playing easier’ series. It’s recommended you read the previous article to get the most from the practice suggestions below. Click here to start with Part I.

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When Is Enough, Enough?

With this final email on efficient tone production, we’ll discuss how embouchure fatigue relates to your progress as a trumpeter and how to know when it’s time for a break.

But first…

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My Terrible Playing Mistake

To begin, I would like to share that my main mistake as a lifelong trumpeter has been believing that playing ease was something I’d gain from pushing the envelope physically.

I’d practice long and hard thinking all of that stress would lead to the strength I needed to just relax a bit.

Because, if you want to get good you have to practice hard, right?

Well, 20-some years later, I’ve learned the harsh reality:

Rather than making playing any easier, all of that hard playing made trumpet playing *&!%$@# hard!

The reason for this is because we’re always learning. And, each time we pick up the horn to play, we’re either reinforcing some good or some not-so-good playing habit.

Unfortunately for us long-time bashers, this means that even embouchure fatigue can be drilled to the point of becoming a neurological response to just the thought of playing. 

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So, When Is It Time For A Break?

The flip side of this is that if you approach playing with a sense of ease, playing will continue to get easier! 

And the main method for learning this efficiency is to keep the vast majority of your practice time within the guidelines that we have been discussing. 

That means paying close attention to your playing mechanics (the steady release of air, shoulders relaxed) and using those feelings as a kind of  practice ‘governor.’

The idea is to take a break as soon as you notice the shoulders rising, or any temptation to jolt the airstream or apply additional mouthpiece pressure.

Then, after a moment of pause, can come back to the practice reminders associated with easy tone production before moving on or setting down the horn for the day. 

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‘But, I’m Hardly Practicing At All!’

In a nutshell, this style of practice is about defining and then reinforcing proper playing habits. And by remaining aware of these sensations, you cultivate the feeling of easier trumpet playing over time.

However, in the beginning, it may feel as though you’re hardly accomplishing anything at all. Because, you’ll almost certainly be practicing in extremely short spurts – maybe even just a few notes at a time.

If that is the case – great. It means you’re staying conscious of how it feels to play, which can ultimately be a much more productive direction.

So, be patient. And resist the temptation to practice more vigorously during those times when you feel like you’re not getting anywhere.

Soon, this transition from trite routine to mindfully reinforcing how you play will make you a more efficient trumpeter down through your bones.

And when you are, you’ll find yourself able to play all day long with no special effort.

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A Note for Pro Players & Students

If you are a busy player who does not have the luxury of resting each time things get tough, simply carve out a few minutes each day to practice the breathing and mouthpiece drills we’ve outlined.

While doing so, remember that the relaxed shoulders and passive release of the air are what’s most important. And  it does not matter how banged up and unresponsive your chops are. 

The idea is to keep encouraging the mind to figure it out ‘this new way.’ And after a few months, this easier way of playing will begin to meld with your practices and performances on a deep, automatic level. 

Then, just keep it up and things will continue to get easier.

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Going Through The Motions + Time = Easier Trumpet Playing 

With my own playing, I have been through a complete breakdown of the embouchure multiple times over.

And each time, I thought my playing days were done.

However, using these exact principles and exercises I have been able to rest, regroup and rehabilitate my playing in what has felt like a few miraculous comebacks.

The key is to consistently remind yourself of these feelings every day for about three months before expecting anything to happen. If you miss a day, don’t worry. Just keep going.

Each day will be different, and it’ll never be perfect. But, if you keep it up, things will get easier.

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Up Next: What’s the Best Practice Routine?

Thanks again for taking the time to read this email. I hope you’re enjoying the information and feeling motivated to get back to the basics.

In the next article we’ll talk about choosing the best routine. 🙂

Until then, happy trumpeting.

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