FREQUENT REST
Short pauses between groups of long notes and slur exercises will help your lips feel fresh and build embouchure strength!
LONG TONES PLAYED SOFTLY
Long tones played too loudly will result in lip fatigue and will also break down the muscle you are striving to build! NEVER FORCE THE TONE!
MINIMUM MOUTHPIECE PRESSURE
Too much mouthpiece pressure will also tire your lips and break down what you are trying to build! Remember that your goal is to develop a good strong tone and lip endurance so you can last longer an maintain lip accuracy. If you are feeling pain where the lips are in contact with the mouthpiece rim, then that should be a reminder that you are pressing TOO HARD!
LIP FLEXIBILITY DEPENDS ON AIR
When slurring from one partial to the next, depend more on moving the air column more rapidly in coordination with the contraction of the lips. DON’T LET THE LIPS DO ALL THE WORK! Speed of air helps to make the slur easy.
HEAR THE SOUND YOU WANT TO CREATE
Know on which partial you are going to start – is it low C, middle G, or middle C DO NOT MERELY PLAY BY FEEL!
Listen for the note before you begin to play. This will increase your chance of hitting the note.
KEEP THE THROAT OPEN
Get the sensation of a good yawn before playing the note. When the throat feels free and open, the tone is rich and vibrant. Always go back to that yawning sensation when your throat starts to feel tense or squeezed. You must remind yourself of this constantly until it becomes a natural reflex, which it will become through good practice habits.
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