Break the “Rules” of Horn Playing

One thread between several of the recent posts is that in various ways the quotes point to spoken or unspoken “rules” of horn playing that maybe we need to break to actually sound our best.

Thinking about pressure especially, I can’t think of any student I have ever had that I honestly thought used too much pressure, but I have had several who were most certainly trying to use too little pressure and quite a few who thought they used too much but were fine. They did not want to “break the rules” on pressure and in some cases were not using enough pressure to get a good sound. Here is a great truth: mouthpiece pressure is not a sin! Really, your lips do need some pressure to brace against to form an embouchure properly with a big, orchestral sound. I sound lousy using the light pressure that pressure device of a few posts ago requires, and I think most players will as well.

[See this article for more on finding a correct amount of pressure]

Here is a new rule: try doing the opposite of what it seems you should do based on the “rules” presented by books or teachers. Use plenty of pressure all the time. Pivot the “wrong” direction. Tongue hard, way out between the lips. Roll in the lips in the high range. Play lots of Bb horn fingerings. Forget about doing a “release”—take charge and attack the notes! Don’t be in fear of your horn.

Sometimes teachers say things as sort of exaggerated ideas or ideals that they don’t expect you will actually do and truth be known they don’t do either. In short, if it sounds better it is better. Feel no guilt and break some rules of horn playing today.