Dead Lips

[ASUTuba06]

When I'm working on my high range my lips wear out quickly. Should I stop and take a break when this happens or just keep going? I know in lifting weights when your muscles hurt that's a good thing if you want to get stronger and bigger but is this the same with your lips. Do I need to stop when they get tired and work on something lower?

[Roger Lewis]

Be a little cautious...I've found that if you spend a bit too much time in the high register, no, you don't lose your low register, but your attack will get squirrely in the mid register. I would think that you are relying more on mouthpiece pressure and less on air flow which migh also be contributing to this sensation. Reverse that and things should be a bit easier. Less pressure and more air should help but balance your practice.

Check here to see if you really understand what you need to do:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4051&hilit=high+range" target="_blank

Peace.
Roger

[ASUTuba06]

i went to ASU back in 1998. please say Hi to Sam. my name is Pat lugo

I don't go to Arizona State Univ. I go to Appalachian State Univ. ( Hints my avatar Logo)

Sorry

[sc_curtis]

Reverse that and things should be a bit easier. Less pressure and more air should help but balance your practice.

Peace.
Roger

Excellent suggestion. Buzzing on the mouthpiece is the easiest way to see if you use too much pressure. I know that some people disagree, but also, buzzing without anything (no tuba, no mouthpiece) can help you realize if you rely too much on the mouthpiece. If you can make the "high notes" with just your lips, then you will use less pressure, high notes will be easy, and you will have more endurance.

[ASUTuba06]

I'm not being to hard on myself. I gained almost 6 notes this school year. At the beginning of the year I couldn't hit the A right at the top of the stave now I can hit the F above it. So I know it takes time. I only work on my high register about 15 minutes everyday.

[WakinAZ]

Maybe work up to 2 10 min. sessions or a little more? Some of the better practice time advice I've read on this board mentioned spending time on your weaknesses. Make sure you are working on interval studies that skip around - just playing up to the note chromatically or on a scale is much easier than nailing it out of nowhere.