Embouchure question

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mickael57280
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Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

Hi, since I've started learning trombone 4 years ago I have a problem, air leak at the corners.

I'm pretty sure it's not air escaping through the corner of my lips because I have made the test of freebuzz and then add the mouthpiece.
The air escape because the curve of my mouth is too pronouced and the flat part of my embouchure is not wide enough for combling the hole of the mouthpiece.
I hope you understand what I would explain.

I know I have a very narrow face because I have had medical issue because of that (theeth removal because not enough place on my jaw)

Do you think the problem can be a to narrow face for trombone mouthpiece?
I play a standard Bach 6.5 AL

Thank you
lauriet
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by lauriet »

I've often wandered why the mouthpiece isn't curve slightly (east to west) to fit the shape of the face/lips ?
I shaped a spare MP like this and it helped playing high notes.
pompatus
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by pompatus »

lauriet wrote: Sun Sep 30, 2018 5:30 pm I've often wandered why the mouthpiece isn't curve slightly (east to west) to fit the shape of the face/lips ?
I shaped a spare MP like this and it helped playing high notes.
The designer of the Wedge mouthpieces had the same thought. Check them out at the following link:

https://www.wedgemouthpiece.com
AndrewMeronek
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by AndrewMeronek »

If you play with the mouthpiece centered, it may help to move it right or left. Lots of people, including pros, play off-center.
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by Doug Elliott »

That's not at all how Wedge mouthpieces are shaped.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
pompatus
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by pompatus »

Doug Elliott wrote: Sun Sep 30, 2018 7:28 pm That's not at all how Wedge mouthpieces are shaped.
My mistake. It was explained to me that they were designed that way to fit the curvature of the teeth/face, but I’d never actually looked into the info for myself.
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

I feel that the problem is my are mouth curve is so pronouced that air leak trough where the mouthpiece meet my mouth
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by Doug Elliott »

I have made custom rims with a curvature, but that may not be necessary. I'd really have to see you play... Skype?
It's possible a smaller rim size would fit you better. Or learning how to use your corners differently. I can work with you on either way.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

Hi Doug thank you very much but I don't have the money for a Skype lesson, can I send you videos for advice maybe ?

The think that drive me crazy it's that I say to myself when I'm freebuzz it's impossible to have air leak from the corners of my mouth so if I'm freebuzz and then bring the horn to my face it does not leak BUT it leak...
imsevimse
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by imsevimse »

If you post pictures it could help. Can you buzz in the mouthpiece without leaks? Can you play any register without a leak? If the answer is Yes! then you could probably overcome the problems with practice.

To develop a good emboushure needs a lot of work. There was a time when I had leaks in my highest register. Above my highest notes. Yes, correct, no sound was the result. I just did not know how a good emboushure felt like. Had never been up there. It was experiments and that method did not work. It was one of many dead ends when I explored this instrument. It gradually solved as my emboushure got stronger and more correct. As my firm corners developed. What is correct? You don't know. You must find that out with practice. Just to find out; If you have a store nearby then go there and try every mouthpiece they have in stock. See if the problem is helped. If it is a true physical problem that needs a special mouthpiece because your mouth is that different then I guess Doug is one of a very few that really can help you.

/Tom
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

Can't buzz any range on the mouthpiece without leak.
Even if I put way too much pressure it leak.
Shift a little bit on right side and leak a lot on the left and vise versa...
If I put normal pressure with the mouthpiece it's like I heard half freebuzz and half mouthpiece buzz and leak on both
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

The only way to minimize leak is too puff my cheeks so my face around my lips are more flat.

Pics from what do you want ?
baileyman
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by baileyman »

Why not experiment? Try building up the mouthpiece profile so it matches your face.

Stuff you could use: tape, silicone sealant, polyurethane glue, plumber's epoxy. You may get something that works, and then you could have someone make something like it in brass.
lauriet
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by lauriet »

As I mentioned, I curved a MP, and it helped in the high register.......BUT, I feel as though I'm cheating.
Should I stick to a normal flat MP and persevere ?
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by Doug Elliott »

If there's a time when I can see you by Skype for just a few minutes, it's free.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

Oh thank you for your kindness Doug, from which part of the US are you ?
I'm in France so I can calculate the time diference
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by Doug Elliott »

Eastern, 6 hours earlier from France.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

When can we set up a Skype session ?
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

Holly s**t I found myself what cause lots of my problems... OVERBLOWING!!!!!
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

Hi, overblowing helped me but the problem is still there, Doug, your proposition is still ok?
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by Doug Elliott »

Sure
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
baileyman
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by baileyman »

Ah, overblowing. I used to do that, too, in my case to get range, under the theory that squeeze hard blow hard would get me up there. If that's what you're doing, then there is a better way.
mickael57280
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by mickael57280 »

When is it possible Doug ?
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Embouchure question

Post by Doug Elliott »

Where are you and what time zone? Send me a PM. I'm in Eastern US.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
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