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I've noticed that blowing a mpc is such an unnatural thing on the body, it seems. I have focused a lot of time on building a thick air column, VERY minimal pressure in the lip/mpc interface, and a supportive embouchere. Still, after playing for awhile, I find that my lips are just plain swelled up from buzzing against a piece of metal. I don't have a ring impressed into my lips or anything, and this is after volumous (is that a word) air use.

I tried using a blue ice pack to reduce swelling, which allowed me to get some recovery and keep playing. I am curious as to other players' experiences with this and what you can do to reduce this problem. Is it simply a matter of building up a tougher embouchere? I thought I'd give one of the plastic Kelly mpcs a try, to see if that makes a difference.

You might be allergic to the metal.

If not try Preparation H.

and i'm dead serious.

I use it all the time on my lips and I find that when I use it daily I don't really need to warm-up every morning as my lips feel loose and nimble all the time.

elimia wrote:I've noticed that blowing a mpc is such an unnatural thing on the body, it seems. I have focused a lot of time on building a thick air column, VERY minimal pressure in the lip/mpc interface, and a supportive embouchere. Still, after playing for awhile, I find that my lips are just plain swelled up from buzzing against a piece of metal. I don't have a ring impressed into my lips or anything, and this is after volumous (is that a word) air use.

I tried using a blue ice pack to reduce swelling, which allowed me to get some recovery and keep playing. I am curious as to other players' experiences with this and what you can do to reduce this problem. Is it simply a matter of building up a tougher embouchere? I thought I'd give one of the plastic Kelly mpcs a try, to see if that makes a difference.

If you notice a lasting redness or irritated skin, then there might be some sort of dermatological allergic reaction taking place. Best to get that checked out by a medical professional.

However, please realize that some heavy playing (perhaps very loud, or -- for some-- significant time spent in the more extreme low &/or high registers) will result in a swelling in the lips. This is usually a fluid build-up , and – as Mr Jacobs points out as quoted in Brian Frederickson’s book) will usually subside in about 24-hours. I’ve known some folks to pop a few anti-inflammatory “over-the-counter medicationsâ€

One good way to see if it is a metal sensitivity/allergy issue is to buy a Kelly lexan mouthpiece and blow on it for a few days to see if you get the same reaction.

Then again, you might just be using way too much pressure.

If the Kelly doesn't work, get ahold of a good brass teacher to analyze your embouchure, posture and habits for you to see if there are any mechanical problems.

elimia wrote:I have focused a lot of time on building a thick air column, VERY minimal pressure in the lip/mpc interface, and a supportive embouchere. I don't have a ring impressed into my lips or anything, and this is after volumous (is that a word) air use. Is it simply a matter of building up a tougher embouchere?

After my car crash, I was out of action for like, 7 years. Then, whenever I did a long session, I built up what my wife refers to "tuba lips". For me, time off, no pressure and lots of support meant that my lips were INSIDE the mouthpiece, and I got swelling as a result. I didn't have a ring, either. For me, the answer was to do more playing, and build up endurance that way. No pressure can mean that you're not "pinning" the sides of your mouth down (which is good), but my chops were actually going in. YMMV

It is impossible for anyone to adequately diagnose YOUR chops over a bulletin board, so find a competent TUBA player and have it checked out as soon as you can!

Hmmm....fluid swelling seems like a good hypothesis. I do have just a faint ring from where the mpc rests, but that is normal. I don't have any reactions to metal otherwise and have used a metal piece for years. I have a Kelly on order to try.

I did try an aspirin before practice tonight and it did help some. A solution in the long-term I think, as windshieldbug said, is to keep trying to build endurance.

Just to add to what's been said, it is normal for some people to have a ring, regardless of how hard you're pressing. You're still puting something on your face for a long period of time. Also, I wouldn't recommend direct ice, as the lips are a little tender for that. I like to sip ice water when I practice or afterwards though.

"just be a man and mash that thing into your face as hard as necessary to get the job done."-line inadvertantly left out of the brass players' creed.