Simplifying the Trumpet Embouchure- Part 5 What you need to practice to build strong chops.
Long Tones! Some may find this too simplistic and some may find me too arrogant. There are many benefits to being old; one is the lack of concern with criticism. The reason I have been so narrow focused in my conclusion is that focusing your embouchure muscles in an isometric…
Orlando
How could three horrifying tragedies befall one city within such a short period? Fifty lives were taken by a deranged gunman, an innocent child taken from his parents and a talented young girl senselessly gunned down in the same city. We may never understand why the innocent are taken as…
Simplifying the Trumpet Embouchure- Part 4 Finding the Correct Aperture Size and Shape
It matters not that your embouchure muscles are positioned and set correctly if you do not have a proper opening for the air to pass through, making the lips vibrate properly. So, how can you be sure that the opening or aperture is correct due to the fact that it…
Simplifying the Trumpet Embouchure- Part 3 Now That We Know Which Muscles Are Used To Play Trumpet, How Can We Better Use Them?
Not to be concerned with- Buccinator ( compress cheek against teeth connected to orbicularis oris) Don’t even worry about these unless you have bulging cheeks when you play. Zygomaticus minor (used to pull lips back and smile) An embouchure with an exaggerated “smile” effect will thin your sound and thin…
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- Part 1 Embouchure Muscle Involved When Playing Trumpet
In order to establish which facial muscles are used during trumpet playing, we need to understand that working muscles generate heat; and temperature studies done by two authorities in this area from Vienna, Austria- Dr.Matthias Bertsch (University for Music and Performing Art) and Dr. Thomas Maca (Department of Medical Angiology…
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…
Katie Is Still In The News!
I have been following Katie for some time and if you would like more information on her, check out these posts- Katie Prior- “Exceptional” The Youth Trumpet & Taps Corps