[Dixielandjazz] A "natural" embouchure?

[Bob Romans]

In 1981 I was starting beginners at one of my elementary schools in Stockton, California...a 5th grade black boy was starting trumpet lessons...the ONLY note he could play? High C! Try as I could, using all of the tricks I had learned after about 20 years of teaching, plus being a trumpet player for 30 plus years, he could only play high C! For weeks, it was the same story...just high C!! I finally called the principal in to observe it, and HE couldn't believe it! So It was, take a breath, put the MP on the lips(Which were quite large, BTW!), and "try playing softly"...HIGH C, try player softer yet! HIGH C! Buzz like this...soft, low buzz from me...couldn't buzz low!
I NEVER got him to play ANY other note! He finally dropped out!
Have any of you ever gone through this sort-of experience?
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:36:50 -0800
From: "Jon" <jon at yakatus.com>
Subject: [TPIN] EFFICIENCY! Part 2 (a little long...)
To: <tpin at tpin.okcu.edu>
Message-ID: <001701c84b45$3bbb81f0$2e23fea9 at verilegatufes3>
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Here's the much anticipated Part 2 (big fanfare). Ok, first off, I think I 
should explain my comment that "air is not the answer." Judging from the 
*enthusiastic* off-list responses I've received, clarification is in order.

What I meant was air, while undeniably a (if not the most) crucial part of 
brass playing, is not necessarily the cause of inefficient chops. Here's a 
real-life example: after a children's concert last summer the orchestra held 
an instrument "petting zoo," where the kids could try out the various horns, 
fiddles, etc. A really cute little blonde girl came up and asked to play the 
trumpet. She couldn't have been more than 6 years old, and tiny to boot. 
After getting the horn into position (I had to help her hold it) she 
proceeded to blow a perfect in-the-staff G - no hiss, no fuzz, just sound. I 
told her to tighten her lips (a technical term), blow harder and play 
higher. Out came a just as perfect C. Totally amazing. I said to her mom, 
"Wow, that was incredible! She's gonna be a great trumpet player." The girl 
put down the horn and said, "Mommy, I don't like this thing. Can we go play 
the flute now?" Sigh. Well, at least she's blonde and cute. If she turns 
into an airhead she'll be principal flute wherever she plays. :)

The point is this: the kid had no embouchure development and no wind power 
yet she managed to produce a great sound. How? I have to believe that she 
just has a naturally super-efficient setup which allows her lips to vibrate 
correctly with almost no effort. No wonder the 98 pound alcoholic weakling 
with a 5 pack-a-day habit can sit on double Cs all night long and only rest 
'cause he needs a drink and a smoke. His first note ever was probably a 
double G...

Thing is, this is what we all strive for. Question is, can we all do it, or 
at least some part of it, and how?

Lastly, I like to say that these musings are meant for those who have chop 
problems, not the fine players who post regularly. There are probably a lot 
of lurkers around who, for one reason or another, don't want to bother the 
list with their problems or anxieties. But I still welcome any and all 
flames... :)

Part 3 (with some useful stuff) tomorrow...

Jon

Warm regards,
Bob Romans,
1617 Lakeshore Dr.,
Lodi, Calif. 95242
Ph 209-747-1148
www.cellblockseven2002.net