Air leakage

[The Jackson]

Hey, I've noticed an issue with my high register placing. When I go up (above 4th space Ab), the corners of my lips pull back and air rushes out of the gaps. I try to close them up, but it's like they are locked there when up in that register.

What can I do to fix this problem?


Many thanks,

Jackson

[Art Hovey]

Here's what solved that problem for me:


http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba.html

[The Jackson]

Hmm, that's very interesting, Art. Perhaps it could be the way my teeth have grown. I do have an overbite.

[UTTuba_09]

You might give excessive pedal practice and low register playing, with the amount of air that is required in that register, that's what I did anyway...

[MaryAnn]

Assuming this is a technique problem and not the onset of embouchure dystonia (read up on that to find out about it...it generally manifests first in a part of the register, and then spreads) the way I would deal with it is to find the highest note I can play without the problem, figure out what I'm doing differently on the next note up, and change the way I play that note to be the way I play the note that works.

If your corners are pulling out and leaking air without your intending to do that, it could very well be the onset of dystonia; if so, practice will make it worse, not better. Dystonia happens to people of every level and background of playing, and often is simply not recognized for what it is.

Also, search out posts by Roger Lewis on how to play high....it sounds like you could use his information and benefit from it. Playing high, as he says, is not hard; it's merely a technique that for some reason is not taught by the Mystery School of Brass Playing. I'd blather on about it but he says much, much better than I would.

MA

[The Jackson]

Oh man, I hope it's not dystonia. I'll play for my band director so he can see. He has focal dystonia

Mmm, I'll definitely try what you said and what I've seen through Roger's posts. They are very interesting, indeed. Thanks!

[SplatterTone]

Cox finally got the post-ice storm cable problem fixed up after four different contractors came out and fiddled around.

Buzzing out the side of the mouth happens regularly with me too. If I can't consciously make it stop, then I deal with it by switching mouthpieces. My theory is that my subconscious is slipping into a bad rut with the mouthpiece I am using, and I need to switch to a mouthpiece sufficiently different to force my brain to change how it plays. I currently keep on frontline duty: TU33, TU29, Kelly 18, and Faxx Helleberg. If none of those fix it (they almost always do) then on emergency call up I have: PT44, Laskey 30G.

Often I can play a short time on the change-up mouthpiece, then go back to the problem mouthpiece with the problem (my brain) now fixed.

[windshieldbug]

Don't pull tight, or "smile".

Put more meat in the mouthpiece

You may want to change where you focus the air, along with the amount of air. My teacher had me rock the top of my horn forward (bottom bow in my lap) to get a feel for moving the focus within the mouthpiece.