Lip Damage From Buzzing/Overplaying?
Lando99999
Hi everyone! I'm a 33 y.o. beginner trumpet player (very beginner - only
been playing for 3 weeks) and I've been reading the posts (especially
those regarding buzzing) and talking to my teacher, etc. and I'm concerned
about lip damage. I heard a story about an obsessed trombone player who
practiced so much that he needed to get lip surgery twice (!) and I've
heard that too much buzzing can do the same thing, but I've heard no
specifics on what that damage is.
So here's my question: What exactly is lip damage, in what way are the
lips damaged and how do I know if my lips are getting close to being
damaged, or that I'm playing too much? I take practice pretty seriously
(on the advice of my teacher, I only practice for 30 min. a day on
trumpet, but I practice 3 - 4 hours a day on sax), but I don't want to do
anything that would cause me harm or that could adversely affect my
playing in the future. I appreciate any advice, and if this is a stupid
question please excuse the ignorance of a newbie.
Thanks!,
Roman.
~ Dave
Roman~
Mouthpiece buzzing will not hurt your embouchure. We must be specific
when we say "buzzing". I personally don't recommend spending much time
LIP buzzing, but a routine of MOUTHPIECE buzzing exercises can be
beneficial in getting the sound centered so that the student is not
overblowing. Overblowing meaning that when the trumpet is sounding a
particualar note, the actual vibration of the lip is somewhat higher.
Very doubtful you'll do any damge to you lips with only 30 minutes of
practice. We must also be specific when we say "LIPS". Many people
say "lips", when in actuality, they mean "embouchure". Yes, damage
can occur to both the lips AND the muscles of the embouchure. Excessive
pressure can cause damage to the lips. Excessive tensing or over using
of the muscles can lead to damage of the embouchure's muscles. Use
common sense. (Perhaps something missing in the trombonist you
mentioned).
Just as in any activity, periodic breaks are necessary.
As for lip buzzing, buzzing very dry lips is not recommended. Mostly,
the lip buzz is use to "set" the embuchure (corners of mouth, etc.).
When I studied with Jerome Callet in NYC he had me do what he called,
"spit buzzes", quick little buzzes used to shape the embouchre. This
is done to give the trumpet student the "feel" of where the embouchure
needs to be at certain registers.
Of course, with your question to this newsgroup, you will receive MANY
opinions on the subject. Everyone has their chance of being an
"authority" on any given topic. I do not claim to be an authority, I
just know what has worked to get me to the level of performing at which
I am. Good luck-
~Dave
Wade Johnson
I have found buzzing to be beneficial in areas of endurance and range,
when one doesn't have the time to devote to a daily regimen of long
tones, Arbans, etc. The time can be used to a better advantage when
incorporating a buzzing routine. One won't find a shortage of that type
of information. Lip buzzing, or mosquito buzzing, without the mouthpiece
can also be beneficial in setting the embouchere into the correct
position. A few minutes, buzzing in front of a mirror, creating a
"mosquito" sound will correctly set the embouchure. This exercise
worked wonders for me a short time ago after an extended layoff.
There are all kinds of exercises and methods designed to play the
trumpet, and other instruments as well. Many of the exercises are from
players who have found they work well for them. The exercises may not
work particularly well for you. Evaluate your problems and find an
exercise that will benefit you. If you can find a teacher who is
knowledgeable and willing to help, you will be fortunate. Most of us
have to sort through the minutiae and flak to find those things we can
use effectively. The truely accomplished player, I think, is one who
can evaluate his/her problems, without a teacher, and make the necessary
corrections.
And last, it's generally not the horn material, mouthpiece size
(assuming no extremes) , lead pipe, lacquer, silverplate, lack of
lacquer, goldplate, but the player who makes the sound. One can get
into "instrument" to the detriment of everything else. Get a reasonable
horn and mouthpiece and find a woodshed..do constructive practice..Works
wonders for the chops.
Good luck, the trumpet is a demanding instrument..
Wade
Alan M. Taren
If you're a sane human being, you'll get bored with any particular buzzing
session before you're likely to do any damage. As to practicing, when you
feel fatigued or your lips feel "fat" or begin to hurt, take a rest!
Practicing beyond your physical limits is just plain dumb. Your embouchure
should be coaxed, not beaten into shape.
Noneemoose
>>>>>>And last, it's generally not the horn material, mouthpiece size
(assuming no extremes) , lead pipe, lacquer, silverplate, lack of
lacquer, goldplate, but the player who makes the sound. One can get
into "instrument" to the detriment of everything else. Get a reasonable
horn and mouthpiece and find a woodshed..do constructive practice..Works
wonders for the chops.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So let's all play DEG's
Nate
Tulsa Band
Hey Roman,
The question you asked is a good one. Lip damage is caused by many
different things, but usually in this forum we are concerned about the
damage that is caused by doing things in excess. Ever hear the phrase
(it goes something like this) " A spoon full of medicine cures, take the
whole bottle and it kills"? This applies to trumpet as well. Myself,
and many other prominent teachers and players, like to use not only
mouthpiece buzzing, but also lip buzzing as a teaching aid. However,
this must be done in moderation. I usually lip buzz about 5-7 minutes a
day. Then I mpc buzz for another 5-10 minutes. After this, I finish
practice on my horn. Just be intelligent. If you feel pain, numbness,
swelling, etc. Then STOP! Okay? Other then that, take a big breath,
play very relaxed, exhale in to the horn, and enjoy!
-Donovan-
Tulsa Band Instruments, Inc.
mailto:Tul...@ionet.net
http://members.tripod.com/~tulsaband
(800)564-1676
Inter0
Subject: Lip Damage From Buzzing/Overplaying?
From: lando...@aol.com (Lando99999)
Date: 3 Apr 1997 09:10:40 GMT
Message-ID: <19970403091...@ladder01.news.aol.com>
Hi everyone! I'm a 33 y.o. beginner trumpet player (very beginner - only
been playing for 3 weeks) and I've been reading the posts (especially
those regarding buzzing) and talking to my teacher, etc. and I'm concerned
about lip damage. I heard a story about an obsessed trombone player who
practiced so much that he needed to get lip surgery twice (!) and I've
heard that too much buzzing can do the same thing, but I've heard no
specifics on what that damage is.
So here's my question: What exactly is lip damage, in what way are the
lips damaged and how do I know if my lips are getting close to being
damaged, or that I'm playing too much? I take practice pretty seriously
(on the advice of my teacher, I only practice for 30 min. a day on
trumpet, but I practice 3 - 4 hours a day on sax), but I don't want to do
anything that would cause me harm or that could adversely affect my
playing in the future. I appreciate any advice, and if this is a stupid
question please excuse the ignorance of a newbie.
Thanks!,
Roman.
XXXXXXX
Just play the horn. Leaving the buzzing to the hack horn teachers. With
playing the horn properly you can do so all day and this will be the most
help. If you have someone telling you to buzz as part of your lessons,
get another trumpet teacher who makes a living really doing this stuff.
When playing the horn, if you get tired or something hurts then you should
stop and rest. You can learn to buzz if you want to start taking on
y9oung students and want something to waste time in with lessons to help
yo better take there money. Just like the normal stuff Clarke did and you
will be fine.