Big lips

[scottshanks]

I have a student with exceptionally full lips. His tone is a little "tight" in all registers, especially above 2nd line Bb, and below D below the staff. He has improved considerably through hard work, opening his mouth more, keeping his tongue down, and even rolling his lips in slightly. While he continues to improve, I have to wonder if a mouthpiece change might help. He is currently playing on a PT88, but his lips still seem crowded. He is playing on his school's Miraphone 186. I tried him on a PT 86, but there was no improvement. He has tried my Sellmansberger Symphony with the 33.2 HLB2 rim and sounds better, but still not open enough. I know Joe has a 33.5 rim that might work even better. This is turning into too many words. Before we make a financial commitment, do any of you tuba teachers and equipment gurus have any experience with this issue, and have you found any solutions. I appreciate any technique or equipment suggestions.

Scott

[k001k47]

Well, I don't know about that, but I like roast beef. And bacon. Roast beef with bacon. In a sandwich. Mmmmm

Oh, if consistent "oh" syllable and uninhibited wind stream don't help, I'd give bloke's biggest rim a try. Also, maybe a wedge mouthpiece would give more room? . . .

[Doug Elliott]

If big lips need a big mouthpiece, Louis Armstrong wouldn't have made it very far on trumpet.

The size of a player's lips has very little to do with mouthpiece size. My guess is his embouchure type is different from what you're used to working with. He probably needs to modify his approach, but not in the ways that work for other players.

If you need help with that, PM me. Also, I'll be in your area in February for a day or two after TMEA.

[itai]

Assuming your student's lips are not bigger than mine, I can assure you that there is no connection between the rim size and lip size.
Coming from a player that absorbs daily comments on his lips being limited to only one instrument

however, I do believe that wider lips and mouth usually reveal the embouchure, making it much more exposed, highlighting the natural asymmetry..