Hello meuty

when I start to play trumpet, and I learned it by myself, I made the same mistake. I positioned my mouthpiece solo that I said in the read of the upper lip.
As you know, and as you experienced, that is the wrong way, because there’s always a little bit pressure on the lip so I can give you all the follow advice. Be happy that you are able to play up to G above the stuff.
And repeat this singing C up to that G not higher.
Try to find the sensation and the feeling of the corner movement when you play higher. I’m sure that your range will develop when you are ready for that you have to be patient.
Maybe you do now the opposite end place your mouthpiece too high. I don’t know you can experiment with it or with a visualiser, but when you are able to play up to g above the stuff then there are things which are right now.

If you have any further questions please contact me via email.

Regards
Hajo🎺

I don’t understand for sure where I should be putting the mouthpiece, and I think this is related to this topic. i would appreciate some help. When I play, I end up with a line, and some swelling, in the red part of my lips, top and bottom. The outside diameter of the mouthpiece is centred and outside the ‘red’, top and bottom. But the inside diameter is inside the ‘red’ top and bottom (mostly bottom–on the top lip the top inside edge of the mouthpiece is near or just on the border of the ‘red’ part of the lip). I’m really conscious of not pressing too hard–am trying to play with the minimum possible pressure.

I have watched many youtube videos, all proclaiming that you must not play in the red. I have tried to do what people like Charlie Porter have suggested, rolling the lips in to place the mouthpiece, then relaxing out. But I can’t do it and make a sound–my lips seem too pressed together.

Equally, what I’m doing now (per the first paragraph) doesn’t seem to be working very well either, mostly due to the swelling of the bottom lip.

What am I missing? Where exactly should I be putting the mouthpiece?!

Hello Christopher

please can you send a photo or better a video which show exactly how you play or how you position you mouthpiece.

Maybe I can give you some advice.

Regards
Hajo 🎺

I know
Made some bad experiences during my journey

Good luck
Hajo 🎺

Hi Hajo
Thank you for your kind offer to have a look at a photo of my chops and see what you think. I’ll see if I can get back to this on the weekend.
Is some swelling in the shape of the mouth piece normal, do you think?

Hello Christopher

Without watching such swelling it is not possible to give an advice to you.

Maybe you can take photos from that, too?

looking forward to help you

Regards
Hajo 🎺

I like the comment from Hajo about putting the mouthpiece high. This must be done at the beginning of the day. Maybe there will be no sound at first but keep trying. Don’t push or force the sound. Learn to accept the strange feeling of the mouthpiece placement.
You may get more static than sound at first but once the sound comes you will have found the proper balance. It will feel strange and you may even wonder where the sound is coming from.
Be patient with this. It’s important to start the day with this before you smash the lip tissue.