Simplifying the Trumpet Embouchure- Part 2 What Facial Muscles Are Involved When Playing A Trumpet?

Buccinator ( compress cheek against teeth connected to orbicularis oris) Depressor aguli oris (depress corners of lip) Depressor labii inferioric (draws lower lip down and slightly lateral) Levator labii superiorus (raises the upper lip) Mentalis (elevates and protrudes the lower lip) Orbicularis Muscle (Kissing muscles) Risorius (laughing muscle from corners…

Another Great Loss To The Trumpet World

We have lost a friend some younger trumpet players may not know or even recognize his name, Robert E. Nagel. To the older players, his work with the New York Brass quintet was the start of brass chamber music as we know it today. The trumpet work of Robert Nagel…

Simplifying the Trumpet Embouchure- Introduction

Now this should be interesting if not challenging! For many years I have been interested in the workings of the embouchure as it functions while playing a brass instrument. I have studied with some very fine teachers through the years and I can sum up everything I learned in about…

The Endless Search for Perfection

We all face challenges each day. Some are brought on by our jobs, our life styles and in some cases are self-imposed as this post will reveal. Today completes our Spring season with a new musical in town called “All Hands On Deck”. I would consider this the most enjoyable…

A Night Off

What do you do when you have finished a great week playing a show and you have nothing to do all evening? Well, what I did this evening was to play with one of my old toys from more than a half century back. I’m speaking of a little contraption…