Embouchure question

mickael57280 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-09-30 4:27 p.m.

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 · by **lauriet** » 2018-09-30 7:30 p.m.

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 · by **pompatus** » 2018-09-30 8:21 p.m.

[quote="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.[/quote]

The designer of the Wedge mouthpieces had the same thought. Check them out at the following link:

https://www.wedgemouthpiece.com

AndrewMeronek · by **AndrewMeronek** » 2018-09-30 9:20 p.m.

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

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2018-09-30 9:28 p.m.

That's not at all how Wedge mouthpieces are shaped.

pompatus · by **pompatus** » 2018-09-30 9:33 p.m.

[quote="Doug Elliott"]That's not at all how Wedge mouthpieces are shaped.[/quote]

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 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-02 1:35 p.m.

I feel that the problem is my are mouth curve is so pronouced that air leak trough where the mouthpiece meet my mouth

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2018-10-02 3:16 p.m.

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.

mickael57280 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-02 3:34 p.m.

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 · by **imsevimse** » 2018-10-02 4:14 p.m.

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 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-02 4:30 p.m.

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 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-02 4:33 p.m.

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 · by **baileyman** » 2018-10-02 5:25 p.m.

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 · by **lauriet** » 2018-10-02 10:47 p.m.

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 ?

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2018-10-03 1:38 a.m.

If there's a time when I can see you by Skype for just a few minutes, it's free.

mickael57280 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-03 5:02 a.m.

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

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2018-10-03 7:54 a.m.

Eastern, 6 hours earlier from France.

mickael57280 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-12 1:08 p.m.

When can we set up a Skype session ?

mickael57280 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-10-15 11:43 a.m.

Holly s**t I found myself what cause lots of my problems... OVERBLOWING!!!!!

mickael57280 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-11-15 11:56 a.m.

Hi, overblowing helped me but the problem is still there, Doug, your proposition is still ok?

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2018-11-15 4:21 p.m.

baileyman · by **baileyman** » 2018-11-15 7:42 p.m.

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 · by **mickael57280** » 2018-11-18 5:50 a.m.

When is it possible Doug ?

Doug_Elliott · by **Doug_Elliott** » 2018-11-18 8:18 a.m.

Where are you and what time zone? Send me a PM. I'm in Eastern US.

Quick Links

Instruments

Marketplace

Embouchure question