Hello!
A few years ago I posted here a topic " scar issue on upper lip " and thought it happened because of sharp bite mouthpiece.
I visited a known teacher and I was said that I am not using air almost at all. I was playing only on lip with small amount of air and was surprised why my lips are always swollen next morning.
Now I do not have any more air problems. Horn is ringing and no swollen lips anymore. That " scar tissue " was only present if lips were swollen. But.... I can play only in average and louder dynamics. In softer dynamics I feel like I do not have strength to hold muscles that creates smaller hole for airstream which is needed to get soft sound. So now I use so-called air-attacks when its higher range and soft dynamic. Difficult is to start the note. When I am already playing then its easier.
I read from Farkas " Art of French horn playing " that in loud dynamics air does the most work and in soft dynamics mostly lip muscles.
So... how to start improving my muscles? I have tried buzzing on mouthpiece and on BERP. But I am not so sure what I am doing. Teacher whose I visited, said that if I am buzzing I have to hear sound and also air-sound, which means there is good air-support.
Tried also only free buzzing a bit, but I have heard that its so easy over-do it, so have not tried it too much.
Long story, but perhaps anyone can suggest anything how to gradually build up my muscles?
Thanks is advance!
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