Trumpet Embouchure

Question 1

Tight, thin, pinched tone on trumpet

Answer 1

3 Causes/remedies
1. Tight, closed throat./Review “sigh” breath; suggest yawn with head up.
2. Tense, excessively pursed lip formation (biting)./Re-form “B” but de-emphasize lip pursing.
3. Too much pucker in lips (“oo” shape)./Relax, reform “B” but emphasize no pucker.

Question 2

No tone, rushing air on trumpet

Answer 2

4 causes/remedies
1. Lips not together (spread aperture)./Re-form and maintain “B” position with lips.
2. Dry lips, dry mouthpiece./lick lips, inside of mouthpiece.
3. Too much pucker in lips (hard “oo”). /reform “B” but emphasize no pucker (more “m”)
4. Insufficient air to make lips vibrate./Review sigh breath; suggest yawn with head up.

Question 3

Completely stopped with audible throat restrictions and restricted buzz on trumpet.

Answer 3

3 remedies/causes:
1. Review “sigh” breath, suggest yawn with head up./tight closed throat.
2. Relax left hand grip, no right hand little finger hook./Too much mouthpiece pressure towards lips.
3. Relax, re-form “B” but de-emphasize lip pursing./Tight, excessively pursed lip formation (biting).

Question 4

Airy tone on trumpet

Answer 4

2 causes/remedies:
1. Lips not together (spread aperture)./re-form and maintain “B” position with lips.
2. Too much pucker in lips (“oo” shape)./reform “B” but emphasize no pucker.

Question 5

Explain the Trumpet Embouchure Formation

Answer 5

1. Lips in “B” position (“dim”-together).
2. Think “banana” or “dim”.
3. Blow through the lips or “sigh through the banana”.
4. 1/2 of mouthpiece on lower lip the other 1/2 on upper lip.
5. Keep the teeth apart so air is not restricted.