Hi Rob,

Another thought I’ve been having on this topic lately (for me) is: maybe I tilt upwards a bit because of the shape of my teeth and jaw. Maybe that’s ok (?!) so long as there’s not too much tension??? I think this probably aligns with some of what Hajo was saying, too–probably everyone is different.

For me, I was definitely exaggerating this jaw movement in the past, using too much pressure etc as noted in my post above. But, also, maybe some people just point up a bit (rather than tilting down)?

I had conflicting advice on this many years ago which has caused me doubt and confusion (still). One former teacher said, essentially, that some people upstream, some downstream, doesn’t really matter, just “do what works for you” and “don’t try to change what you’re doing naturally”.

However, another teacher, a very successful player in my region, easily the best/most proficient trumpet player I’ve ever been in the same room with for any length of time, let alone had lessons with, insisted on changing my embouchure to a downstream approach (like his). When someone that good (who is also a nice/good person!) gives you that sort of advice, you do your best to follow it. However, I couldn’t make it work and ended up damaging my top lip trying (from my teeth banging into them, I think, because I was pivoting too far down, I think, while trying to do what I thought was being advised), had minor surgery on the lip… and eventually gave up the trumpet for my second (and for the last 30-years, main!) instrument, the piano. The good news is that my piano playing improved (ha!). And I picked up guitar, too, along the way. (Why am I trying to play trumpet again? I forget.) And here we are today. (I picked up the trumpet again 18-months ago to work on it with my kids who are in school band).

It’s difficult to know (for me) what’s best. I’m trying to follow Hajo’s advice, and, for now, am working my way back through the Wind Works program again from the start. I don’t know if this helps you or not, but maybe food for thought? Maybe teeth/jaw shape is a factor sometimes, too.