On Embouchure and Breathing Technique

Allen starts this session by playing Napoli by Bellstedt. He then says: I'd like to thank Odd Lund and Yamaha for this seminar taking place!


Extremes
I was not told to go to a dentist etc. You know all that are "extreme" type of advices. But some shapes are good or better than others for playing the brass instruments.
John Faddis plays on a small mouthpiece with fat lips. Sandoval plays a 3 C - very high and loud. I could not play well on those mouthpieces, I'm between.

Demonstrate setting
A firm setting and relaxation. Show kids and they'll do it. When I teach, I always play. Youngsters will find good adjustments. Once in Japan he saw a group of kid who had a clarinet teacher - they all pointed their trumpets down like a clarinet.
If you move the mouthpiece up and down you can diagnose. Do it for your self. Listen to the sound.
(Allen demonstrates by playing on very high an very low setting - the sound is not good).
Jaw out in low register.
Allen is sceptic to those teaching high register playing by moving the jaw out.

Allen's "system"
I learned from Doc Severinsen.

Breathing in
This is the most important thing. It will enable you to get energy. You need fuel.
Inhalation is often to tense. Let it "fall" in.
If you learn to breath quietly in one move it is the most effective way.
Demonstrate how to play a very long phrase (Clarke 2): The "Farkas Book"
Allen is asked what he thinks about that often used book, "The Art of Brass Playing".
"It can be dangerous. A friend of mine found that book. After that he never played well."
One of the participants, a horn student, says she liked the book. Allen likes that someone has another opinion.

Moral: "Take everything with a grain of salt". No book is "a Bible". Something work for some people and not for others. Use common sense.

Breathing out (playing)

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