Posted by John Swensen on August 01, 2002 at 09:53:04:
In Reply to: Pressure Problems posted by EricBook on July 31, 2002 at 20:51:46:
I have experienced this problem, which caused all sorts of embouchure pain and numbness, but I was able to solve it by learning to buzz on the mouthpiece, alone, using minimal pressure.
With your mouthpiece off the horn, but in your normal playing position, balance your mouthpiece on your thumb with, perhaps, one other finger to keep it from rolling off your thumb, but apply as little pressure to your lips as possible; just enough to keep it on your lips. At first, this probably will decrease your range while buzzing, but keep at it and the range will return as you adapt to using your embouchure differently and supplying enough air to fuel the buzz. It would help to spend more time buzzing on the mouthpiece than on the horn, at least in the higher range, until your embouchure control and strength improve and you learn the new, low-pressure, habit.