How to Combat “Stiff Chops”

From time to time we all have gone through the sensation that our trumpet playing lips are too stiff and feel uncomfortably ridged. Each time you put the mouthpiece to your lip you seem to have the same reaction, “Oh no, here we go again”. When this condition develops, there are several ways to address this problem- What is wrong with my lip? How did I get this way? How can I get relief? What do I need to do to prevent this condition from coming back? What’s wrong with my lip? A stiff or inflexible embouchure is usually caused…