I read a story about how Mendez was visiting a junior high for a clinic and the band directors bring a kid to Mendez to have him look at the kid and try to "fix" him. Apparently the kid played out of the side of his mouth, and the band directors thought Mendez could apply corrective measures so he looked "normal" when he played. Mendez had the kid play a few long tones and play a few scales, then sat back and said "Do not do a thing with your embouchure!. Your sound is perfect. There is nothing to fix." Jerry always said "Nature will prove a good embouchure. Listen to the sound!".
There was two trumpet players I knew in the Australian Military bands who had unusual embouchures. Fine players both of them, but an officer insisted they change.......to bassoon. I kid you not. One of them actually went a long way with it, the other eventually went on to other things.
It was one of the more disappointing moments I remember from the military. I met a man shortly after I left the army who put it best. 10% are the best men that exist; truly exceptional. 20% are solid men who you can rely on. 70% are here because they are unemployable anywhere else. Some of those 70% get to make decisions that have a major effect on people's lives, and they shouldn't be allowed to decide who cleans a toilet.
I can attest to the improvement that can occur over one lesson. If anyone is really struggling with this system, the lesson you'll get when you're at your worst is the best one you'll have.
I thank you very much, I feel more comfortable with my embouchure now. I have a very downstream embouchure, and I tried changing my embouchure and I could not play. I will try this out and I believe this will help very much.
Thomas, You are absolutely right in NOT focusing on the direction of the air stream!!! It has NOTHING to do with it!!! Do you have a Callet mouthpiece? For best results you must start there! Get in touch with me at the email at the end of the vid (rasalamone@aol.com) and we can talk further. Better yet, Set up a Skype lesson. Get a mouthpiece though, TRUET ME on this one! Keep in touch, Ralph
True Power Trumpet it’s been about eight months since I had decided to change my embouchure. I had a very empty and bright sound, as well as no control on any notes. It took me a while to get in the proper mindset for it. I got it as close to the “perfect” embouchure as possible. And I’m still working and getting my range back. I’m a sophomore in high school and I was previously able to reach double high g, double high a. And the biggest thing that I had found via trial and error, is when I want to change my embouchure, I want to warm up in the embouchure that I’m trying to change it to. That was the mistake I made a while ago. I warmed up in a poor embouchure and I was trying to change it after I already warmed up. I’m glad I decided to change my embouchure because my tone has gone much darker. I also recently decided to change my mouthpiece size to a larger mouthpiece (7c to 3c) and I noticed an immediate change in tone. It was far more full and dark, my articulations were also quite a bit more forgiving, if I want I get get the aggressive accented articulations in Imperial March, but I can also get the smooth, full, lovely articulations from Pictures at an Exhibition. Changing my mouthpiece was almost like changing my embouchure. It’s very different. It uses a lot more pressure to actually form a good tone, and the range is difficult, however I’m working on that still, I am toying with my tongue positions, and it seems to be a piece of the pie that I need to learn. But this video helped me in changing my embouchure. Thank you very much. 🙏
Hi there :) Very interesting both what you play and what you say - would like very much that it was easier to hear your voice! Is it you playing in the beginning and what tune is it? I am trying to get into TCE so your videos are very important to me. Thank you. Erik, DK
Hey, my name is Loeke I'm 18 years old and I have been playing trumpet for six years under the observation of a private teacher whom I trust, but nonetheless there are things I am very insecure about. I have played in the red part of my upper lip for as long as I can remember. There is nothing wrong with my tone or range, but sometimes I'm scared that my embouchure is holding me back from playing better and for a longer time (endurance). This thought was also caused by other people on youtube. For instance Charlie Porter, who I believe is a very good player and backs up his information about embouchure pretty well. Her urges people to not play in the red of their lips, as this will cause problems in the future. It has made me insecure and has caused me to consider taking time to change my embouchure as that will hopefully be worth it for the future. I won't do that without consent and help of my teacher, but I am considering the change although I would rather not. I was wondering what you think about playing in the red, and what you think is the best thing I can do. I am just collecting a lot of feedback around me, before actually starting to do something as it is such a severe thing to do. Also I was wondering if there might be exercises that could gradually change my embouchure in the right direction, might it be wrong. Because there is nothing more scary than changing you embouchure altogether, without knowing it will ever workout. I am very willing to spend a year, sounding very bad, knowing that it'll be all right in the end, but as you said, and I agree with you, that everything will become all right is never sure with an embouchure change. Music is my life and I am hoping that I can continue using the trumpet as the means to play music. But throughout these six year I have been in a constant contest with my instrument and the things I would like to do, but cannot yet do on my instrument. Therefore I would like to make sure that it is not my mouthpiece placement that is holding me back from playing music the way I want it, as it is very frustrating. I am willing to work hard and I see that you are never finished with learning and evolving on the trumpet, but working hard with a wrong setup might not be helping altogether. Thank you very much for your video, Kind regards, Loeke
Loeke, Guess who played on the red? Adolph Herseth!!! Maybe the greatest Orchestral player EVER!!! Don't give it another thought!!! if your chops are holding you back it could be several things but NOT playing on the red! The whole concept is silly and makes NO physiological sense! If what I am saying on my vids resonates with you contact me at the email: rasalamone@aol.com and we can get to work giving you WORLD CLASS CHOPS!!! Keep in touch, Ralph
i have a problem where to play in the upper range i have air pockets when i play high notes and ive been told to change my embouchure... any thoughts on that
Green, Call Jerry 718 477 5803 and order a 1SS or 1SB. Then buy my book, www.tpwr.org, and get your free lesson with me. Tone, Power, Rang & Endurance will be right there for you. Let me know, Ralph
How does air pass with a thick tongue ? My problem is I am very good at hitting my notes my first 1O minutes but after that my sounds starts getting thin and weak ....I could be wrong but I fire my tongue well but the sound gets bad
Paul, You have to get your mind around the fact that we are not necessarily trying to let "air pass". We are trying to COMPRESS the small amounts of air in the mouth. As far as your endurance issues, that is ALL tension. When you relax the corners, cut back on the air, and use the tongue/ bottom lip properly ANY endurance issues disappear. Welcome aboard and keep in touch. Ralph
Ralph, please inform where to send the money for the book(s) you have - heard you saying $10 for it. 301 741 7063 is my cell, pjrosa1952@yahoo.com my email, or, if you let me know your phone, I'll call you. Will be driving to Boston this Saturday for my daughter's graduation; maybe I can stop by if you're not too much off the highway. Appreciate to have a response (I know you're busy). Thanks Joel
Hey so I play in the “red of the lips” and it causes me to have crazy amounts of tension in the corners and chin which leads to bad endurance after playing through a piece nonstop, but I can play very well like top chairs at my high school and my range goes all the way up to the g 4 lines above the staff, is there a reason for me to move my lip placement out of the red or is it a problem with tension and airflow. I don’t trust that I would recover moving my lip placement over a 2 month summer before my senior year marching band season, any advice would be super helpful!
Sean, Playing on the red is NOT the problem Some of the greatest players who ever lived play on the red. Tension in the corners however is a HUGE problem. Without having heard you play it is hard for me to comment any further than that. What mouthpiece are you using? I can almost guarantee that is some of the problem for sure! If you would like to shoot me a short video of you playing a little bit I could comment further. Contact me at the email at the end of the video and we can discuss it further if you wish. Hear from you soon. Ralph
I read a story about how Mendez was visiting a junior high for a clinic and the band directors bring a kid to Mendez to have him look at the kid and try to "fix" him. Apparently the kid played out of the side of his mouth, and the band directors thought Mendez could apply corrective measures so he looked "normal" when he played. Mendez had the kid play a few long tones and play a few scales, then sat back and said "Do not do a thing with your embouchure!. Your sound is perfect. There is nothing to fix." Jerry always said "Nature will prove a good embouchure. Listen to the sound!".
Mark, Cool story! Hope all is well! Ralph
There was two trumpet players I knew in the Australian Military bands who had unusual embouchures.
Fine players both of them, but an officer insisted they change.......to bassoon.
I kid you not.
One of them actually went a long way with it, the other eventually went on to other things.
BASSOON!!! OMG!!! Shoot me now! LOL Ralph
It was one of the more disappointing moments I remember from the military.
I met a man shortly after I left the army who put it best.
10% are the best men that exist; truly exceptional.
20% are solid men who you can rely on.
70% are here because they are unemployable anywhere else.
Some of those 70% get to make decisions that have a major effect on people's lives, and they shouldn't be allowed to decide who cleans a toilet.
I can attest to the improvement that can occur over one lesson.
If anyone is really struggling with this system, the lesson you'll get when you're at your worst is the best one you'll have.
I thank you very much, I feel more comfortable with my embouchure now. I have a very downstream embouchure, and I tried changing my embouchure and I could not play. I will try this out and I believe this will help very much.
Thomas, You are absolutely right in NOT focusing on the direction of the air stream!!! It has NOTHING to do with it!!! Do you have a Callet mouthpiece? For best results you must start there! Get in touch with me at the email at the end of the vid (rasalamone@aol.com) and we can talk further. Better yet, Set up a Skype lesson. Get a mouthpiece though, TRUET ME on this one! Keep in touch, Ralph
True Power Trumpet it’s been about eight months since I had decided to change my embouchure. I had a very empty and bright sound, as well as no control on any notes. It took me a while to get in the proper mindset for it. I got it as close to the “perfect” embouchure as possible. And I’m still working and getting my range back. I’m a sophomore in high school and I was previously able to reach double high g, double high a. And the biggest thing that I had found via trial and error, is when I want to change my embouchure, I want to warm up in the embouchure that I’m trying to change it to. That was the mistake I made a while ago. I warmed up in a poor embouchure and I was trying to change it after I already warmed up. I’m glad I decided to change my embouchure because my tone has gone much darker. I also recently decided to change my mouthpiece size to a larger mouthpiece (7c to 3c) and I noticed an immediate change in tone. It was far more full and dark, my articulations were also quite a bit more forgiving, if I want I get get the aggressive accented articulations in Imperial March, but I can also get the smooth, full, lovely articulations from Pictures at an Exhibition. Changing my mouthpiece was almost like changing my embouchure. It’s very different. It uses a lot more pressure to actually form a good tone, and the range is difficult, however I’m working on that still, I am toying with my tongue positions, and it seems to be a piece of the pie that I need to learn. But this video helped me in changing my embouchure. Thank you very much. 🙏
Hi there :)
Very interesting both what you play and what you say - would like very much that it was easier to hear your voice!
Is it you playing in the beginning and what tune is it?
I am trying to get into TCE so your videos are very important to me.
Thank you.
Erik, DK
Malte Burba changed Till Brönners Embouchure when he was 25 because he placed it in the top lip
the worst thing a director can do is put 2 players on one folder, one will play off center to the right and the other off center to the left.
Hey, my name is Loeke I'm 18 years old and I have been playing trumpet for six years under the observation of a private teacher whom I trust, but nonetheless there are things I am very insecure about.
I have played in the red part of my upper lip for as long as I can remember. There is nothing wrong with my tone or range, but sometimes I'm scared that my embouchure is holding me back from playing better and for a longer time (endurance). This thought was also caused by other people on youtube. For instance Charlie Porter, who I believe is a very good player and backs up his information about embouchure pretty well. Her urges people to not play in the red of their lips, as this will cause problems in the future.
It has made me insecure and has caused me to consider taking time to change my embouchure as that will hopefully be worth it for the future. I won't do that without consent and help of my teacher, but I am considering the change although I would rather not.
I was wondering what you think about playing in the red, and what you think is the best thing I can do. I am just collecting a lot of feedback around me, before actually starting to do something as it is such a severe thing to do.
Also I was wondering if there might be exercises that could gradually change my embouchure in the right direction, might it be wrong. Because there is nothing more scary than changing you embouchure altogether, without knowing it will ever workout. I am very willing to spend a year, sounding very bad, knowing that it'll be all right in the end, but as you said, and I agree with you, that everything will become all right is never sure with an embouchure change.
Music is my life and I am hoping that I can continue using the trumpet as the means to play music. But throughout these six year I have been in a constant contest with my instrument and the things I would like to do, but cannot yet do on my instrument. Therefore I would like to make sure that it is not my mouthpiece placement that is holding me back from playing music the way I want it, as it is very frustrating. I am willing to work hard and I see that you are never finished with learning and evolving on the trumpet, but working hard with a wrong setup might not be helping altogether.
Thank you very much for your video,
Kind regards,
Loeke
Loeke, Guess who played on the red? Adolph Herseth!!! Maybe the greatest Orchestral player EVER!!! Don't give it another thought!!! if your chops are holding you back it could be several things but NOT playing on the red! The whole concept is silly and makes NO physiological sense! If what I am saying on my vids resonates with you contact me at the email: rasalamone@aol.com and we can get to work giving you WORLD CLASS CHOPS!!! Keep in touch, Ralph
i have a problem where to play in the upper range i have air pockets when i play high notes and ive been told to change my embouchure... any thoughts on that
Green, Call Jerry 718 477 5803 and order a 1SS or 1SB. Then buy my book, www.tpwr.org, and get your free lesson with me. Tone, Power, Rang & Endurance will be right there for you. Let me know, Ralph
How does air pass with a thick tongue ? My problem is I am very good at hitting my notes my first 1O minutes but after that my sounds starts getting thin and weak ....I could be wrong but I fire my tongue well but the sound gets bad
Paul, You have to get your mind around the fact that we are not necessarily trying to let "air pass". We are trying to COMPRESS the small amounts of air in the mouth. As far as your endurance issues, that is ALL tension. When you relax the corners, cut back on the air, and use the tongue/ bottom lip properly ANY endurance issues disappear. Welcome aboard and keep in touch. Ralph
Ralph, please inform where to send the money for the book(s) you have - heard you saying $10 for it. 301 741 7063 is my cell, pjrosa1952@yahoo.com my email, or, if you let me know your phone, I'll call you. Will be driving to Boston this Saturday for my daughter's graduation; maybe I can stop by if you're not too much off the highway. Appreciate to have a response (I know you're busy).
Thanks
Joel
Hey so I play in the “red of the lips” and it causes me to have crazy amounts of tension in the corners and chin which leads to bad endurance after playing through a piece nonstop, but I can play very well like top chairs at my high school and my range goes all the way up to the g 4 lines above the staff, is there a reason for me to move my lip placement out of the red or is it a problem with tension and airflow. I don’t trust that I would recover moving my lip placement over a 2 month summer before my senior year marching band season, any advice would be super helpful!
Sean, Playing on the red is NOT the problem Some of the greatest players who ever lived play on the red. Tension in the corners however is a HUGE problem. Without having heard you play it is hard for me to comment any further than that. What mouthpiece are you using? I can almost guarantee that is some of the problem for sure! If you would like to shoot me a short video of you playing a little bit I could comment further. Contact me at the email at the end of the video and we can discuss it further if you wish. Hear from you soon. Ralph
very bad audio