The Trumpet Embouchure 16 Tips

[@gregcampbell8888]

Very wise words. I’ve been struggling with embouchure for over 40 years (on and off) and come to similar conclusions. I particularly like the fact that you do not fall into the common trap of teachers who say “do it like this because that’s how I do it”. Everyone is different!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Thanks Greg! I’ve been playing way too long and I’ve seen way too many different embouchures that were successful for me to ever claim one size fits all!

[@benjaminheck4394]

Thanks so much, all my years of school playing and I just unlocked a key piece of info. Just moved my embouchure up a bit and now I can get a high A to speak clearly. Super glad I found this vid!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Great to hear!

[@d.g2284]

Thank you soo much. I just entered high school after thinking I mastered my horn in 8th grade, then all these new frustrations kept popping up. 'not enough space between your teeth, fix it' 'increase your endurance and range' all of these problems my band director told me which I had no idea how to fix. After doing some fruitless research on chrome and KZbin, people telling me 'don't do this, you will never improve if you keep doing this', I felt like just quiting band since it was what I found most comfortable, and now your here telling me it's all about preference preference preference. I'd like to highlight the moment when you were talking about all those professional trumpet players with different embouchures, especially when you said this guy that plays mostly on the bottom lip is still up there with all the greats. You have truly given me a new perspective to thrive on my horn, and have inspired me to keep at it. Thank you so much Coach Lewis 🙏🙏

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Wow, I'm honored! We all take our own path. All I can do is suggest different techniques because there just isn't one way for all trumpet players, unfortunately. For example, your band director telling you "not enough space between your teeth, fix it' 'increase your endurance and range" might work, but then again, it might not. It was, however, one of the big problems I had. But now the question becomes, how do I change it?! I had to start over if I really wanted to take my playing to another level. I became extremely frustrated with teachers always telling me it's all about the air as if that is the only physical issue when playing the trumpet. I don't blame anyone, I finally realized it was up to me to fix it. So, I read every book, watched every trumpet embouchure video, and asked every great trumpet player I know. They all had great suggestions. The issue was applying them to what little knowledge I had about how to fix my problems. My advice would be to try everything, see what works, discard what doesn't, trial and error, and frequent micro-adjustments. Free lip buzzing, mouthpiece buzzing, long tones, lip flexibilities, tonguing exercises, études, etc. are just no it's on a page until we figure out how to play them. It's almost like a math equation. We are musical (and sometimes physical) problem solvers. In the end, it's the journey that counts. Best of luck to you. Enjoy the journey!

[@victorumrikhin9954]

I had to drop to play trumpet long time ago because of my underestimating of mouthpiece pressure on my lips...I had to switch to playing drums...But now I restored my Embouchure and doing everything much better...This video helps a lot too...Thank you.

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Great to hear you are back!

[@victorumrikhin9954]

One more thing-it is very important to find a right Mouthpiece for everyone's Embouchure...I've tried many pieces before found the right one...Good Luck...

[@anthonycarbonaro7890]

Jeff.. great presentation ! I’ve been away from the trumpet for over 25 years… I am a comeback player and presently, trying to play in the upper register… you covered all of the details that Are very important. Thanks 🙏

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Thank you! Best of luck to you!

[@CRu1687]

Havent played trumpet in about 10 yrs i always had problems with embucher so i am so glade i found this video

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Great! Hope it helps.

[@ShinyMusic222]

Why did I watch this when I stopped playing 15+ years ago? ;D Honestly made me a tiny bit sad! My teacher was quite "1 size fits all" on embouchure and I couldnt progress really =( Oh well. Im happy you´re helping others out! Happy new year

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

It's never too late to try again! Thanks for watching.

[@pauldance7387]

Coach, many of us would like to see what it feels like to be Jeff Lewis on the trumpet, the gap between me and Jeff Lewis is much farther away than Jeff Lewis to Chet Baker or WM...it’s all relative.🎺🙃...that said, when you’re green you grow, when your ripe you rot...we should never be satisfied, ...that’s why these lessons are so important.

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

You are too kind Paul! I love the quote "when you’re green you grow, when your ripe you rot...we should never be satisfied"!

[@briancarter8092]

Thanks for the video. As I was watching it I was trying different things on my mouthpiece. Shazam! I moved it slightly off center to the left and I was buzzing much more clearly and with better range. When I get good I'll put it back on my trumpet and might even get a note or two.

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Nice!

[@kjjjjjjjj]

I'm in the process of changing my embouchure, from center to the right. This video is just what I needed, so much to think about and experiment now. Thank you so much! :)

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Awesome! Best of luck. Let me know how it goes.

[@rongolec5472]

Looking forwards to the videos man. You are addressing all, plus some, of the embouchure questions I have had. Keep up the good work and thanks

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Thanks Ron! I hope I can help.

[@LA-cy1zj]

number 11 is a bit of a gem, thank you

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

You’re welcome!

[@qwws3379]

You took my frustrations and tuned it into a game that makes me want to play my horn. Thanks

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Awesome! Happy to hear that!

[@qwws3379]

Jeff Lewis Trumpet even a month later this video still helps me, i didnt even think about the placement of my jaw, thank you!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

You're welcome! Could be a game changer!? At least now we have some options, or an embouchure toolbox, to use to help ourselves play better.

[@qwws3379]

Jeff Lewis Trumpet yes it really has been, i love this video.

[@mango1570]

Jeff Lewis Trumpet I really don’t know what to do for some reason, whenever I try to play it makes like these tremors in the sound. And I know it’s not my trumpet because I just got a new one. Someone please help

[@landonhuff8875]

Damn I’ve been playing for year and have known something was wrong with my embouchure due to my playing ability. And essentially the self analysis part in this video has me motivated to figure it out. Thanks for this, well explained!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Glad I could help!

[@ramoneugeniofazmorales5103]

Hi Jeff, great teaching style thank you very much for sharing this. These concepts you share have opened up new paths to keep exploring and improving. Couldn't get to a high E in June, got a high G pitch last week, hope these tips help me reach that double C with time #justkeepblowing

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

That’s awesome! Congratulations! Forever onwards and upwards. Thanks for checking out the video.

[@pauldance7387]

Never thought too much about my embouchure ( probably should ) ...only the air that drives it, that said the mystery to me is the lessons we hear about blending the idea of free “blowing lips” Independently of the back pressure that stimulates them anyway. If our lips and face muscles are relaxed the lips should vibrate sympathetically with the horns assistances. Yet I often hear teachers preaching the concept of free blowing lips independently to the horn’s natural back pressure Physics. Maybe you can help us with this idea....looking forward to this series.

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Always best if you don't have to think about the embouchure imo. That way you can concentrate on the music. It's really specifically for those looking for something different. For me it was range and endurance. I knew there was something I was doing inefficiently so I wanted to change that. Sounds like you are fine. The less you have to think about, the better!

[@paulrodberg]

Thanks brother you are a mench

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

You’re welcome!

[@idleviewer2010]

Been practicing for about 2 years now, recently I notice my lower lips curls around my bottom teeth and I get bruised inside my lip. I am trying this out but my lower lip still curls in, any advice on how to correct myself?

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

If you're getting bruised, I imagine you are using a ton of pressure on the bottom lip? Try practicing with your teeth aligned and together (The Cat Andreson method) to possibly promote a new setting. You won't play this way (with your teeth together) but it may help. Oddly enough, many methods promote the bottom lip overlap of the bottom teeth, similar to when you free buzz. Also, maybe you need to transfer some of the playing pressure to the top lip a little? Micro adjusting is the key. Hope that helps!

[@ThomazGaio]

Thank you, man! You're great! Greetings from Brasil!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

You are welcome Thomaz!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Thank you for checking it out!

[@AmmarNehlawi]

Great Video, Thank you Jeff!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

You are welcome! Glad you liked it.

[@SpritualTechniques]

The problem for me was that for the past 35 years I’ve played the red fleshy part of my upper lip just like the person in this video is referring to I believe . Problems were, no range over G top staff, no endurance and tone not staying consistent over a 4 hour gig . Charlie Parker’s channel has helped me tremendously as well!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Yes, that is a common issue for many players. Have you had any success with tucking that top lip inside the rim of the mouthpiece or an embouchure change of any kind?

[@SpritualTechniques]

Not yet , I’m in the process of buying the right mouthpiece so that the red part is inside the rim .

[@keithstarkey5584]

I believe it's Charlier Porter, not Parker. And yes, his instructional videos are extremely well done. His philosophy is very similar to Jeff's.

[@jennielim7321]

Hello I have been having trouble with my mouth and my mouth piece, the bottom of my lips goes out instead of staying in. My friend said it’s because I have big lips but I don’t know. I want to have a better and clear and bigger sound quality with my trumpet but I feel that my lips are blocking that. Any idea on how to fix it?

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Try slightly rolling in your bottom lip before you put it in the cup. Dos that help?

[@skrame01]

The problem is you have to basically change one thing at a time, and then roll the dice and play with that change for a long time to see if it's helping and hope it was for the best and doesn't actually set you back instead at the end of it.

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Exactly! I keep a journal so that when I tweak something, I can come back to it the next day without moving too many parameters.

[@LA-cy1zj]

emphasis on number 1 really control the airflow and keep it consistent, the rest is expression

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Sounds almost too simple doesn’t it?!

[@billfritz6572]

For a possible 17, I have always wondered, what is the right mouthpiece size for me?

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

That is always a rabbit hole for us brass players! Size, shape, depth, etc can really change your sound and feel no doubt. I think we have to ask ourselves is what kind of sound are we looking for and for what style of music. Then you at least have a direction.

[@billfritz6572]

Jeff Lewis Trumpet Thsnk you got the response. I am coming back to the trumpet after 30 years. Outside of returning to playing taps for fellow vets memorials, I have an interest in blues in my older years.

[@fabioalexandre6218]

Your class is amazing!

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Thank you!

[@darryljones9208]

Air "speed " is actually a liability. Most trumpet players DON'T understand that. Of course most don't know the difference between air speed and air pressure or air flow, these are all different things.

[@sharlenesadventures1556]

Bruh.... this just makes me confused. :( I played in band for 4 years, 9th to 12th grade, but now just try to practice however I can every so often and I'm so confused about this. Lol. Ugh idk what I should be studying to play better. I am trying to be able to play better by ear and just automatically playing along with things or complementing a song easily, or stuff like that to help play for my church and stuff and I just don't know except trying to play along to random songs I out on and sometimes I dont even know what I'm trying to play like notes and things, then I think im pressing too hard or not having tight enough lips but then that tires me out fast maybe cause I dont play often enough, and I heard once that you shouldn't have to press hard against your trumpet or move it just change airflow but I dont knoooww. Sometimes going to what people say seems better but it makes everything harder because I'm not used to playing like that and man it's confusing.

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

I totally understand! The trumpet can be a very fickle and frustrating instrument. It sounds like you could use a lesson or two to be honest. Someone to assess you’re playing and to see if you are possibly doing anything incorrectly. You’re probably not doing anything wrong, just make sure that you are supporting every note with air. That’s usually the first mistake., not enough air support. I would reach out to somebody who is a professional for some guidance with a daily practice routine and to assess you’re playing.

[@bumbleeistheequeen4052]

so is it ok, if my embouchure isn’t in the center?

[@JohnsonSmithson]

Yes it is, you should use the embrochure which suits you best

[@JeffLewisTrumpet]

Yes! If it sounds good, feels good, and you can get around the horn, you're good imo.

[@abrogard142]

big time clickbait here...

[@tedjohnson9329]

Too much talking head. Reminds me of the salesman standing at the foot of his wife's bed telling her how good it's going to be.

[@JVFBryant]

This man is giving you fee advice. He doesn't have to. So just suck up any extra talk & listen to what he's trying to tell you.

[@JVFBryant]

Typo...FREE advice