I clicked on this so fast! I'm a returning trumpet player; played for a couple of years as a kid, left it for 32 years and came back to it three years ago. Now at Grade 5, but I do get sore lips. I find that I press my lips far too hard into the mouthpiece, especially when I'm trying to hit high notes, and end up with lips that look like they've been stung by wasps! I also get through a lot of lip balm. Hydration is something that I really need to look out for as my medication gives me a really dry mouth. I've just been given some long tone exercises by my tutor and I'm finding them really useful.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to have you back playing trumpet! Using too much mouthpiece pressure is usually a result of not having good airflow. Check out this video I put together on how to improve it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Znh8saRwfaqribQ.html #HappyPractising

Thanks for the excellent tips to avoid bad chock days! Hydration is truly important.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Bob, I hope you remember these tips to help you through your next bad chop day.

@debnbobr1

3 жыл бұрын

@@PhillONeillTrumpet 👍🏻😊🎺

Very good video. This is what I do when I have a bad trombone day. I buzz just in the mouthpiece but blow fast and airy in tone. I do this for 5 minutes then rest for 5 minutes. Then long notes starting on concert Bb. Then slow slide glissandos equivalent to slurs.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Good to know the skills are transferable :)

So glad I found your videos. The comments below also help.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

Жыл бұрын

Hi Lawrence Im glad I am able to help out. Have you downloaded my free practice guide? www.learntrumpetnow.com/proontheside

Here's my story... I have had it with the trumpet. I've invested 20 years into it and all goes well until you have to play a concert and you get dry mouth, bad chops, bla bla bla. I hate the trumpet!!!! Then I switched over to the euphonium and maybe it's my instrumnet that I was meant to play all those years, but I am so much more consistent! I don't have bad chop days. I am able to play high notes better than others who are long-time euphonium players. Maybe the answer is lower brass... It sure is for me. I've been playing the euphonium since right before the pandemic, and I enjoy its sound qualities as well as not having to blow my brains out till I"m blue in the face.... lol

@PhillONeillTrumpet

2 жыл бұрын

Low brass do seem to have fewer bad days than trumpets. It's an unforgiving instrument that's for sure.

Hi Phil, thank you, good tips i will definitely incorporate them into my routine. I am an older comeback player who has learned to deal with moderate to severe asthma. But playing trumpet has helped me in opening up the lungs and breathing apparatus

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear these tips are helpful for you Dale. I had asthma as a kid, I guess it went away with all my trumpet playing. It really does help out with efficient breathing.

FYI volume has been lower on your latest set of videos. Too low IMHO as I can't hear it well on my tablet without earphones.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting, I’m getting plenty of volume on my iPad. I’ll have a look into this for next week. Cheers, Phill

Hi Phil , thanks for the tips. I'm trying to relearn after a 50yr break. I have a hypersensitive respiratory problem and practicing twice a day has really helped my lungs.( from my own experience I think anyone with breathing problems should look into trumpet playing for therapy.) I have noticed a correlation between hydration and lip flexibility but I was unsure if it was just my imagination. You confirming this will motivate me to keep on top of that so I can get more out of each practice session.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome back to playing trumpet Phillip. It has been a while! That's great to hear playing trumpet has improved your health! Hopefully youte enjoying it too!

@phillipbrander3545

2 жыл бұрын

@@PhillONeillTrumpet Very much so. Put 1.5 to 2 hours in after breaky and again same after dinner. Being retired now it is way better than working in the yard or watching TV.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

2 жыл бұрын

Playing trumpet is a fantastic challenge to keep you motivated. 1.5 to 2 hours is a long practice session. You might find you can get more results if you break it down into smaller sessions. I found the best results were 3 X 45 minute practice sessions. I was able to remain more focused during each session because they were shorter. I was also able to push it physically because the sessions were shorter. Give it a go you might find it helpful.

when I practice I get lip swelling. I am not using too much pressure. I am not over practicing. My embouchure is good. I don't have an allergy. why else might my lip be swelling? it has always done this. but it prevents me from playing longer/endurance issues. In fact I believe my chops to be pretty well developed, and strong. Is it possible I just have too much flesh in my lips and I am not suited to trumpet?

@PhillONeillTrumpet

2 ай бұрын

This is common. I often get swelling in the lips when I dont rest enough during sessions. During practice try singing each phrase before you play it. This gives ur chops a small rest but also means u know what u want to sound like before u play.

This is good advice thanks. On bad chop days I do extra breath attacks in the warmup as well as whisper tones. Helps my chops feel less rigid. I try to focus on whether I'm under or overbreathing and do lots of extra resting while doing the warmup. Usually some extra pedals, lots of lip flapping. If all else fails I take 3 advil with a nip or 2 of bourbon and hope for the best.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, breath attacks are great! especially while playing soft long tones. I usually avoid pedal tones on bad days as I have found them to be less effective than soft long tones in the stave. Thanks for joining in the conversation. Look forward to hearing from you in the next video.

Phill, where’s the time machine so I can go back twenty years and use this amazing advice? 😆 my worst chop days were from playing a lot the day before (hard lips) or a several day lapse between playing.

@francescomaimone8865

3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t had a really bad chops day since you taught me how to warm up and practice. Man, was I lost.... nowadays I go through the warmups & fundamentals and any chops issues tend to resolve themselves after some self diagnosing, understanding what happened, and fixing.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Thats fantastic to hear Francesco!!! Thanks for sharing this publicly. I take great pride in helping players of all abilities with their trumpet playing. #HappyPractising

Hi Phil, This video is a little old, so you may not see my comment. Would you recommend an order for these techniques and, if so, which ones should I use (surely not all just before a performance)? Alex

@PhillONeillTrumpet

Жыл бұрын

It's hard to say which is best you you. These are just methods that I find work for me and my students. Try each of them and see which works well for you. Someone's I might do all of them but most of the time I don't have that much time :)

What is that 4-valve trumpet?

@PhillONeillTrumpet

Жыл бұрын

This is the Stomvi Titan 4VE. Absolutely incredible horn. Go check them out.

@stanrivera8965

Жыл бұрын

@@PhillONeillTrumpet is the 4th valve for low notes F to C#? Is it heavy to hold? I know Stomvi are great, but very expensive. I think I'd be more interested in the flugel because good tone on the pedals would increase the bottom range in a major way. Unfortunately just a dream for me right now, but I do love my Benge trumpet.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

Жыл бұрын

Yes the 4th valve works the same as a 4th valve on a compensating euphonium. 4 = 1&3 It also increases the range to pedal C (slides extended) Its about 700g heavier than a 3 valve titan. I dont notice the weight difference any more. Its actually significantly cheaper than a standard Bach 37 so quite affordable for whats on offer. Id love to get the 4VE flugel horn. Sadly not in the budget right now.

i thought i was the only one in the world that experiences Bad chop days

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

Lol Death, Taxes and Bad Chop, all things that are inevitable my friend lol. Next time you get one try this. I’m sure it’ll help you out.

You forgot to include: consistent setup! For example, men shave their face. If you practice playing when you are unshaven then on the day of the show shave your face, you will most likely screw up. It will feel very foreign.

@PhillONeillTrumpet

2 жыл бұрын

That can cause issues but only if you always shave before playing the suddenly don't shave. I play under soo many circumstances that shaving doesn't effect me anymore.

What about pain in your teeth?

@PhillONeillTrumpet

Жыл бұрын

To reduce mouthpiece pressure try improving air flow. Try this exercise for a few weeks and let me know how you go. kzread.info/dash/bejne/eIuntKWNndHPgqg.html

You’re a day late

@PhillONeillTrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

I usually post Monday’s at 11am Sydney time. This was about 30 minutes late today as I posted at 1130am due to technical issues.

@KlausAnselmtrumpet

3 жыл бұрын

You mean you had a bad chop day yesterday Bob? Me too lol