Finished Singing C’s for today. 1 hour is spent on this.
In all three sections, C#, D and finally C, FF slurs don’t work for me. P slurs are OK.

As I finished I decided to do just a quick test after a break, of how high up to middle C I could go maintaining the singing Low C Passive Release attitude while preparing the Corners as best as I can,…[Read more]

So far I found the following.
Doing ‘Singing C’ C#:
Step 1 = OK
Step 2 = OK
Step 3 – NO way
Step 4 = OK

That is – I can’t do C#-F# slurs at ‘FF’ or ‘F’. To do that I have to engage too much muscular tension of the ‘Uuuh’ shape and trying to engage it I immediately tense up and Passive Release turns into Active Release.
On the contrary, when doing…[Read more]

Thanks John, I’m down to the Singing C Series and I feel it’ll take me quite a while to ingrain the concepts. I’ll see how it goes and if it really takes me anywhere I’ll report back here.

Greg generously replied to me and provided his valuable comments about my playing.
The major reason of my problems according to his observations… well – you guess: TOO much tension even when I get only at E in the staff.

Honestly saying I was aware of that but to know something and admit it is one thing and to overcome bad habits is an entirely…[Read more]

OK – Greg got back to me (Thank you Greg!) and said that he received my message.
So, everything should be working correctly with some minor weird side effects. Never mind!

For clarification: I tried to send Greg a link to my short video with some text comments as we discussed in the ‘A Big Question on actual physical limitations’ thread couple days ago and I wanted to make sure my message got through.
I posted this to follow the principle of ‘It’s better to be safe than sorry’.
Sorry if I’m wrong 🙂

Maybe this image is a little more clear, cannot EDIT any longer the above:
(just experimenting…)

https://s742.photobucket.com/user/DiaxII/media/Embouchure.jpg.html

… No – it doesn’t work, something’s wrong with the html codes. I leave it as a link.

Greg, a few clarifications for the teeth and scar tissue in the video:
– First of all the video image is correct – I’m not used to seeing myself from the front;
– I’ve made a rough sketch of my lips-teeth problems (below) and here are a few comments:

1. Since the upper front incisor is missing there is a plastic insert in its place (drawn in…[Read more]

I sent a PM to Greg via ‘General Inquiries’ with a link to my video and asked Greg to comment here. Hope it works out…

OK, I recorded a (very crappy 🙁 ) video and I’ll attempt to send it to Greg for expert assessment.
Need to find some WWW storage now… (Again, I’m an “old school”, it’s all some effort for me.)

Greg could comment on the video here, if he wishes – I don’t mind – It’ll be some help to others.
(I want to keep the video private… sorry – too much…[Read more]

Thank you for your comments and encouragement- Greg and John.
I’ll try to record a video. I’m an old school “phone for calls only guy”. I have a video camera and I need to set it up and film myself playing simple things as Greg pointed out.

I just noticed that the link I was supposed to insert in the first post didn’t come through and doesn’t show up so I’ll try to post it here as a regular text instead:

Tooth Structure and Brass Embouchure

However that’s just to support the discussion. The major point is still above.

(Sorry I see no ‘edit’ button for the above so I’ll add my clarification here).

P.S. I want to clarify the idea behind my post above. I’m talking about actual trumpet playing potential dependent on actual physical limitations.

What I mean: I have “played” trumpet regularly over 10 years and naturally I would have developed enough muscle support…[Read more]

Or, sorry if I sounded if I questioned the Pops methods and his success as a teacher. He must be a great teacher according to numerous testimonials to his trumpet school.
I only wanted to suggest and idea that there is no probably quick and easy solution that can immediately change one’s concept of playing and make a sudden transition from tense…[Read more]