How to Use Less Trumpet Mouthpiece Pressure

[@dannodontsurf]

I play trumpet and mellophone with braces. Relieving some of that pressure will really help. Thank you!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

heck yeah!

[@unicornqueen268]

YESS I’m a trumpet player with braces!

[@davidtorres2400]

same

[@johnmichaelsalapang3402]

Did you put some ortho wax on your braces just to ease the pain ?

[@dannodontsurf]

@@johnmichaelsalapang3402 Whenever my lips got cut up, yes. Wearing wax allowed them to heal.

[@MarkMcCluney]

This was most encouraging. On Wednesday I had the worst lesson of the couple of years that I've been playing - my lip hurt, my sound stunk and every high note collapsed. I just haven't been able to pick up my trumpet for days. This has really given me some methods and oomph to try again. Cheers mate.

[@rexgredig4960]

Good comments young man, you learn something every day, and I’m just coming up 80 yrs old and still playing cornet in BrSs Bands😊Thk you

[@gstlb]

You’re an inspiration to this mere 70 year old.😊

[@jazztrumpet-8246]

Dude!!! Thanks for the tip. Playing 25 years. I never had a proper lesson. Just recently for the first time I got a callous on the inside of my bottom lip where the bottom right fang is located. Lost all vibration. Callous was formed where my lips would buzz. I now how to move the mouthpiece more to the right. But I now use less pressure playing on the upper register. I'm not a screamer but I find it very easy. Thanks for the tip.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks for taking the time to check it out Emmanuel!

[@Zera55555]

I am still I a middle school band but even at a young age I could play the crazy high stuff but I still controlled myself but now my lips die so fast. This video was so great and I can tell the younger trumpets to

[@TylerG13]

I have a weird situation where sometimes I feel like I have to jam my face for a high C (regular, 2 ledger lines above staff) 50 percent of the time and the other 50 percent I feel like there's no pressure at all. This has been going on for a while. Do you have any other tips for that or should I just follow the base building method more?

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Hey Tyler...I'd say stick with the base building idea. Some days it flies out the end of the bell and other times not so much. the base building is good because at least you know you're improving your foundation. The better habits will work their way into the upper register if you're systematic and stick with a plan.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

and thanks for the question!

[@ArmoredLion217]

Thanks for the tips. The past few days I was feeling pretty proud of myself for being able to play the high C sooner in my practice time. Then I realized the cost my impatience had on my chops. I had a red line above my upper lip. I can see that I need to do much better at this.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Lynn, thanks for the comment and that's a great observation. Keep it up. James

[@balin7889]

I see that hydroflask , you sir are an OG vsco girl

[@ashrrz]

Ikr I saw that lol

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

had to look that one up. Gee, thanks :-)

[@balin7889]

@@BwellsTrumpetBasics hehehe

[@ap7390]

@Gavin Frank stfu scammers

[@rpisparischatzimichelakis3460]

Hey man, thank you for your tips. I am trying the trumpet here in Athens Greece…we’re everyone thinks they know everything. You are really helpful. Thank you. Take care.

[@lwskiner]

Good advice for the grip. I watched a Jon Faddis video several years ago and noticed he didn't use his right pinky finger and plays more than an octave higher than me so I tried it and noticed an increase in endurance immediately. It also took zero time to get used to the new way of holding the trumpet.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Nice! Thanks for the note Lance.

[@hvilletrumpet]

I've done an exercise from time to time where I play a G on the staff and pull the pressure until it barely seals, and then hold that as long as I can. Good thing to do. I also think good fundamentals help (air, tongue, shape, corners, etc). "Find a new balance so you don't need so much pressure." Good thinking. Practice with low pressure, with good fundamentals, and your chops remember how to make the pitch you need without over-analyzing.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Heck yeah. Thanks for the note!

[@kxrari]

G on staff isn’t hard though at all. for me it’s double F

[@Overcrow03]

@@kxrari ok bud

[@kxrari]

Overcrow 0805 what?

[@Overcrow03]

@@kxrari everyone has different comfy registers, no need to flex

[@stephengilliss4790]

good comments. I was taught early on not to use the right hand pinky ring because it also restricts the the other three fingers....the ONLY time it should be used is if, for some reason, you have to play one handed.

[@prouavaustralia2320]

Thanks. I've been struggling with this issue after a long time not playing and found this helpful.

[@CornetBlues]

Super advice! Still learning everyday at 64 years young🕺never be afraid to experiment I say 🎶🎺👏🎺👏🕺

[@Anonymo613]

I've noticed myself doing this, but my attempts at correcting it haven't worked. Thank you very much for this video. I will try this and see how it goes.

[@trumpetbacon]

Excellent, sharing with all my students!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks for checking it out and sharing, Dave!

[@teucap5965]

absolutely great video thanks man

[@papik1965]

Thanks a million! Really good information.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, Keith :-)

[@zacvee7255]

I’m a sophomore and have this problem. I’m going to practice your technique for a half an hour every day for a while and I’ll come back if I get much better. Thanks!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Well, did you get much better?!? :-)

[@zacvee7255]

A bit. I’m getting there. I’m still a good player, though so that’s good,

[@KazTrumpet]

Super helpful! Thank you so much for these videos.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks for your support man - your comments help keep me goin' :-D

[@reibee888]

Kaz Takasugi ilyyy

[@jimsteele91]

Hey thanks. Gonna pay more attention to the note/pressure curve as you suggest, and also relieve my chops of the pressure from hanging the right hand pinky from its hook. Good suggestions!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks, Jim! Glad it struck a chord with you. James

[@melissad.1760]

my marching instructor would destroy me if he saw me hold my horn like that. otherwise, good advise

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Haha how are you taught to hold it for marching? I marched in high school but don't remember what we were taught....

[@UhKimboze]

Juan Rivas ewww grosss

[@UhKimboze]

But what do you mean? My marching instructor taught me to hold it basically the same way he did. And same thing with beginners band.

[@royalcat10]

I know it's late but... For trumpets, you *want* to hold your horn like that, especially in marching. Almost all of the weight of the instrument should be in the left hand. Just because of the mechanics of the human hand, all of the fingers move slightly when any one finger moves. If your pinky is stuck in that ring, the ring finger (3rd valve finger) gets really restricted. Playing fast runs is much easier when you let it out and just rest it on the top of the ring. Your right hand should be almost, but not completely, free floating. For low brass instruments, like Marching Baritones and Marching euphs, this is a much different story. Their horns are just so heavy that they *have* to put substantial weight on their pinky, otherwise they'll drop the horn. This is what is taught in DCI, at least.

[@georgepancras8181]

@@BwellsTrumpetBasics I would think that walking and playing the trumpet at the same time is pretty hard. You need to keep that mouthpiece on the same spot of your lips, while walking that unsteady gait in a marching band. I cannot do it, I immediately start jamming the mouthpiece in my face.

[@bobbynunu12]

what type of practice mute do you use? It sounds like it really blocks the sound

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

it's the Best Brass practice mute. Not cheap as far as practice mutes go but it is very good.

[@ruifaustino]

I was wondering about the left arm stamina. How long it can hold the trumpet. After a while playing the exercises the left arm quits before the lips do. I could play longer if my left arm would take it.

[@cassandras6658]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@TheComedyHistorian]

I use the same method for fingering and put my pinky on top of the ring, but I often use my thumb to actually push the trumpet away from my face. And it's helped me. Everyone's different though I guess

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Nathan - I dig that. Similarly, sometimes when I want to push the mouthpiece into my face, I drive my thumb into the valve casing. It doesn't exert pressure on the chops but it satisfies that need to push. Thanks for the comment. Great stuff.

[@estonhensley3684]

Nathan Roscoe hi nate

[@estonhensley3684]

It's Sheldon, don't use my name for my KZbin

[@ruifaustino]

That makes sense.

[@MichalidesMUSIC]

omg man, thank you so much, this was what I was looking for all the time!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks for checking it out MINDeemaster!

[@marciomejia2531]

exellent tips mi amigo I follow you !!

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks Marcio!

[@shook2570]

BlackwellsTrumpetBasics You are super helpful my teacher won't even teach me 😩

[@57dogsbody]

Great video man. Very sensible.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Thanks :-)

[@gregeberhardt4229]

To play higher notes more pressure is needed, and playing without pressure is a lie. But what is the balance between pressure and too much? I have found when I started I needed more pressure for just a D in the staff, now it's requires less, much less and now also for E, F and G...but A, B and C above the staff still requires more pressure...but in a few weeks or a month these too will become easier and achieves with less pressure

[@thisisberlin]

Thanks for the tips! Just one question: if i hold the trumpet like suggested, i have trouble to operate the third valve slide. Any tips on that?

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

hmmmmm, it might just be getting used to it. I've never found the third valve slide to feel particularly natural. Thanks for watching!

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

What do you play? Xeno, Strad, Holton, Bach ??

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

it's a yamaha, 8310z. Great horn!

[@louierippotack194]

Theres a saying that has stuck with me. I'll paraphrase one word of it, but its "play smarter, not harder" Talking with Rich Wetzel, Larry Jess, and Arturo Sandoval, they say the high register isn't as difficult as everyone says it is. "Its just a faster airstream" which is very true.

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

great advice!

[@louierippotack194]

Thank you! Also, James morrison says to focus on where you can do more rather than what you can do less.

[@peytondixon5781]

Louie Rippotack my band director tells us both of those things and it helps a lot

[@iyonnaeli2078]

What if your lips are to big?

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

Try rolling your lips in a bit to get the rim of the mouthpiece on the akin around the fleshy part of the lips. This video talks about it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pICzm6KBodRpgZY Also, look up pictures of a trumpet player named Thad Jones. He had pretty large lips but while playing trumpet he was so rolled in you could barely see any of the "pink fleshy part" at all.

[@paulgrimm]

I hardly use any

[@skirmisskr4587]

How i need to practice that if i need a learn peaces till high C. I use a lot of pleassure in second octave. And this pleassure is verry srrong habot for me.. :(

[@rinpotato8472]

Skirmantas Rumševičius me too :( my junior is better at playing the trumpet so I’m really stressed :((

[@newunderthesun7353]

Hell, it's only a 7 minute video, no need to close the door or make the bed....

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

I find there's hardly ever a need ;-) thanks for tuning in!

[@DexterHaven]

Dizzy G. seemed to use a lot of pressure.

[@bradstewart7007]

Unlikely. The cheek puffing doesn’t indicate mouthpiece pressure.

[@amiasstijntshibangu-ngalul424]

A quick 7:29 to be exact

[@BwellsTrumpetBasics]

quick enough :)

[@yakoubyakoub8447]

Could someone tell me the period that I need to be good musician with trumpet

[@amelialeach9507]

I used to practice for 3-4 hours a day, I got very good, if you came, do this. Don't hurt yourself though if you need a break off for A DAY do it or only do half hour. It's recommended that you do a short stint then break, then another half hour, then another break. Hope that makes sense

[@clownia7777]

He trying to act cool when he's not

[@thebubblybear3150]

Clownia 777 you’re trying to act cool when you’re not.

[@1.1-z9d]

TheBubblyBear you’re trying act cool and he’s trying to act cool but you’re not