Thanks a lot, I've been looking for a way to increase my range by 3 - 4 tones, so I'm hoping this will help :) But is it okay if I do the exercise at school, and then come home and play a couple of hours later?
Question: I play mellophone (in a collegic band) with braces and my range is decent. But a fellow trumpet player noticed my embouchure was iffy and referred me to this video. Now my question is do braces have an effect on this excercise at all??
@DameSmiffTV Hi :) If your embouchure has endurance, a decent range, a good sound, why isn't good? Please don't listen other guys. Keep on playing and good work!
This is ok, but people tend to overdo it. The quote "no pain no gain" does not apply to your embouchure muscles. It will kill you. They are far more delicate than pecs or biceps and need to be treated with care. Just don't overdo it thinking it will enable you to play double C
@artmart5 Yeah philosiphies that is waht hindered my trumpet playing for years. Not everyone gets it right the first time or is a natural born trumpet player. Also commercial trumpet playing requires a different kind of endurance.
hey i was wondering if you think it would be a good idea to do the pencil exercise upsidedown... cause this way the pencil is only working the top muscles, upsidedown it would work the other side
When you start practicing more (and correctly) you'll build up endurance. This meaning you'll be able to play longer periods of time before your chops start to hurt. If you have any questions send me a message and I'll help you out.
I'm currently in high school, and this is my third year of trumpet playing. However, I'd like to expand my "musical knowledge", if you will, by learning multiple brass instruments. I just started playing trombone, and I'm just curious, but would playing multiple brass instruments "undo" the progress I've made on my trumpet? Would it benefit it in any way? Does it depend on the instrument? Thanks.
Mellophone uses a trumpet mpc and is played at the same pivot as trumpet. The problem that I've seen is that FH forces you to play at a downstream angle which CAN BE a problem for a trumpet player.
Cool Cat looks likea tabby. The pencil exercise is gr8. You can really feel the burrn and the muscles right under your chin. Are your peedle theories the same as Claude Gordons?
Hi Eric, have you ever done the Bud Brisbois exercise which is holding the mp in your lips, however, you lean your body over so the mp is hanging from your lips.
It helps alot with marching. While marching, you have to both keep your upper body strong and straight, as well as keep your lips steady and strong enough to produce a good sound and tune.
A good thing to do after you are done with playing for a long time, or after doing this exercise, is to take a vitamin e capsule and a toothpick, poke a hole in the capsule, and spread the gel on your lips. It removes alot of stress on your lips and muscles, with a tingling feel.
If you want to see how it can help with marching band check out my about me and you can find it lol I did that due to lack of any other place to put it.
The interesting thing about this video is not that it builds muscles in your lips. The dramatic change in the players sound is a result of more airflow. As crazy as this sounds doing the pencil exercise forces you to open your teeth. Thus creating a larger airflow and allowing you to get more air into your Trumpet. Not only making is easier to play but also opening your sound as well.
Clude Gordon-"You've got people puttin' pencil's in their mouths now...you don't play a pencil. You play a trumpet. Ha-Ha- Seriuosly as a Reinhart 'devotee' the pencil routine can be helpful if done "properly" to aid in lip compression and or 'pinching power'
Should you be able to hold the pencil upright with an overbite?I have a 3 millimeter overbite and I can't no matter how hard I try hold it upright. It is stuck at about 5 degrees below ground level. Of course, I do have braces so I don't know what to say.
have you ever heard of the "split a quarter" exercise? Basically you put a quarter between your lips, and press them together, as if trying to split the quarter... does this work? I've only heard about it from one teacher.
WOW! I didn't think that would do anything but it really made my muscles burn and exercise them! Marching band is coming up in about a month so hopefully i can get a leg up on the upperclassmen!
i tried it, but it seems that i can't make the pencil parallel to the ground and i can't get hold of it even for a second, am i doing it wrong?i'm a baritone player..
I actually got whacked in the chops once and had to take a month off of the horn. I used this exercise to "rehabilitate" my chops. It works well to regain lost strength and endurance.
I have a ?, im just starting on a brass insturment, baritone, and i cant exacly get as high as I need yet, and i was wondering, would this help me with my range on baritone?
Just tensing up your lips alone doesn't really help to get high notes. I mean, you'll hit the notes, but there won't be much to sustain the note and it'll just have bad tone in general. If you want to play higher notes, use more air and push it faster. Lots of trumpet players close off their airway when trying to hit high notes, and that's exactly what you don't want to do. Just play with confidence and don't hold back and you'll probably get the idea of how higher ranges on the trumpet work.
ummmm, it is not about getting tighter lips, it is about getting a better emboucher. i have been playing trumpetfor a few years now, and this has greatly helped me. not only could i play higher notes, i could sustain them for a much longer period of time
my teacher told me about this exercise and said that you should really feel it in your corners. If your corners arent feelin the burn then you might not be doing it correctly or the exercise isnt for you
Thanks for a great video. I thought this exercise was stupid until I started teaching younger trumpet players. I now realize how valuable it can be in learning to form a useful aperture. Many students are lucky enough to use their muscles correctly from the beginning. Many others work harder than they need to because they use their muscles incorrectly. The pencil trick is by far the easiest way to break old habits and re-train their muscles.
if i had use my incorrect mouth shape playing trumpet for many years, can i change my shape doing this exercise?and how long it take to build up a strong muscle?coz after doing this exercise and using new mouth shape i cant even play out a note like new trumpet player
Your may have never had to endure muscle training like this, but I bet like conman is saying, the exercise is good for you in the long run just like most exercises. Unfortunately with the trumpet, you won't see major payoff for your practice for weeks.
im mainly just flexing my chin muscles, i dont know whats wrong, or if this is appropriate, but if your trying to build up lip muscles, shouldnt you be wanting to loosen up your upper lip?
is the pencil supposed to be at a ninety degree angle to the floor when you're holding it in your mouth. Mine is bent toward the floor when i'm holding it. Well this affect the technique?
I suppose, if you're Arturo Sandoval... But seriously, once you reach the max he suggests, add weight to the pencil with things like washers and whatnot, even some thick tape would work at first
I want to know.. I´ve tried to do that exercise but when I do this exercise I feel tension in the maxilar, to hold the pencil... I don´t feel tension properly in the muscle of lips.. probably I do this exercise wrong.. I dont know.
I find the Pencil Exercise is good for getting ready for a lead position concert. I like the pedal tone with bend to the neighbors for tone and general warmup. BUT, the pencil Does Work. Army Band Lead Player. 94th RRC
im in honors band at my school i love trumpet iv been playing since 5th grade at a solo contest in 7th grade i won most outstanding player for the room i was at i hope t become professional one day and im guna watch all ur fvids and try them
Not sure it will help you, but go ahead and try. The aperture is much larger on tuba, although you still need to some muscle control, so who knows. Let us know how you do.
i tried this and it ruined my chops. i lost about an octave on my range. it made my lips to tence. weightlifting for you're lips? it just doesn't make sense. when you want to tone and define muscles you do constant low weight lifting. you're not trying to have mega lips, but define them so they're well toned.
It's really not "weight lifting". It just helps you get a sensation of using the correct muscles.
The pencil ex. is controversial, as I state in the opening of the video. My main purpose is to see that people are doing it correctly. As with any exercise, you need to decide if it's the right thing for you. I certainly don't make all of my students do the exercise, only those I feel will benefit from it.
Well in your video you said "Learn how to do it correctly and THEN make up your own mind. This in itself is suggesting to us to follow your advice. You did not adequately explore the reasons as to why we SHOULDN'T do the pencil exercise or the negative effects. He may have decided it was not the right thing for him but at the cost of an octave... I guess this is why the pencil exercise shouldn't be done at all. Any easier way to decide if it is "right" or not without ruining our range?
Hey this is good... I've been told to do the pencil exercise many times before but I've never really been told how to do it properly so this has been heaps helpful.
Wow, that's harder than I thought. I just tried it, and I could feel the burn. :P But yes, it helps...I can feel the muscles that I play with. It's a great way to practice when you aren't actually playing the trumpet.
I used to use this exersize when I was in middle school, but the pencil is too large to maintain a decent apature, so I use a coffee staw, not for strength, but accuracy and technical precision.
i have been playing the trumpet for 10 years....when i was in the 5th grade i used to do that in class when i was thinking but it would work better if you bounce it in your mouth
That's true and I mention that in the video. The exercise helps you gain a feeling of using the proper muscles as well. Happy that you're so easily entertained!
My pencil droops when I'm into 2 minutes. Should I still continue?
Jerry
PS Do you have any good articulation exercise videos?
jerrykroth 4 weeks ago
@jerrykroth No. Go as long as you can hold it. Remember to work up to 2 min.
Check my video on K T-modified
ebjazz 4 weeks ago
Thanks a lot, I've been looking for a way to increase my range by 3 - 4 tones, so I'm hoping this will help :) But is it okay if I do the exercise at school, and then come home and play a couple of hours later?
Laaaaars96 2 months ago
i heard that this is bad but im not sure...is it?
badband121 5 months ago
I like Stevie
Dime6950 7 months ago
My lips are too big and i have no choice but to use my teeth, or is there a choice? and what is it?
AlovinofKeys 9 months ago
Is this works for horn player? If when I play, my instrument doesn't pararel to the ground. Should I put the pencil pararel to the ground as well?
tapanuth 11 months ago
@tapanuth Yes
ebjazz 11 months ago
"Get Out Of Here Stevie" Loll.
kevinjonaslover818 11 months ago
opps.. i did 10 mins starting.. thats what my 8th grade band director told me.. haha
TonyF273 1 year ago
Question: I play mellophone (in a collegic band) with braces and my range is decent. But a fellow trumpet player noticed my embouchure was iffy and referred me to this video. Now my question is do braces have an effect on this excercise at all??
DameSmiffTV 1 year ago
@DameSmiffTV NO, I don't think so.
ebjazz 1 year ago
@DameSmiffTV Hi :) If your embouchure has endurance, a decent range, a good sound, why isn't good? Please don't listen other guys. Keep on playing and good work!
isidrocosta 6 months ago
It realy helps for me, but someone told me allready 4 year ago, a Flemish trumpetlayer who is playing very high.
I started this 1 month ago and it's surprising.
kamakamameleon 1 year ago
my corner muscles are strong, it's the muscles in the lip itself I need to strengthen.
civicdude101 1 year ago
This is ok, but people tend to overdo it. The quote "no pain no gain" does not apply to your embouchure muscles. It will kill you. They are far more delicate than pecs or biceps and need to be treated with care. Just don't overdo it thinking it will enable you to play double C
civicdude101 1 year ago
This is hard 0.o
draftube 1 year ago
Yes
ebjazz 1 year ago
Can this exercise also work for trombone players?
charley12345678901 1 year ago
I would add an anvil to his pencil.
gaufill 1 year ago
@gaufill
Be sure to wear steel-toed shoes then.
Thunkful2 1 year ago
americans spend so much time talking about what to do re: emboucher. "just put the MP on your face and blow!" ...M. Andre...nuff said?????
artmart5 1 year ago
@artmart5 Yeah philosiphies that is waht hindered my trumpet playing for years. Not everyone gets it right the first time or is a natural born trumpet player. Also commercial trumpet playing requires a different kind of endurance.
supermarito79 1 year ago
Not quite the pencil exercise that Roy Stevens gave me!
larrymeregillano 1 year ago
Thanks!..i will try it....
wajame 1 year ago
hey i was wondering if you think it would be a good idea to do the pencil exercise upsidedown... cause this way the pencil is only working the top muscles, upsidedown it would work the other side
charlielloydboyd 2 years ago
can you spot stevies shadow at 1:04..!
southwestwingchun 2 years ago
Whoa!! It's like a ghost walked by. I never saw that. Good eyes!
ebjazz 2 years ago
yeah, if only my trumpet playing was as good as my ability to spot fake supernatural feline apparitions, i'd be sorted!
southwestwingchun 2 years ago
@ebjazz Are you supposed to push your jaw out?
TheWHSBasketballer31 4 months ago
my cheeks hurt like crazy any tips on how i can make it like not hurt when i do that im only in sixth grade i started trumpet in fifth grade.
skateordie474 2 years ago
When you start practicing more (and correctly) you'll build up endurance. This meaning you'll be able to play longer periods of time before your chops start to hurt. If you have any questions send me a message and I'll help you out.
KnackForMac 2 years ago
i feel my cheeks more than my lips :S
camboy1989 2 years ago
STEVIE!!!!!
hub313 2 years ago
POPPYCOCK!!!!
elzichco2 2 years ago
I'm currently in high school, and this is my third year of trumpet playing. However, I'd like to expand my "musical knowledge", if you will, by learning multiple brass instruments. I just started playing trombone, and I'm just curious, but would playing multiple brass instruments "undo" the progress I've made on my trumpet? Would it benefit it in any way? Does it depend on the instrument? Thanks.
Oba4m4FTW 2 years ago
Undo? If you stop practicing trumpet, then yes. I've found that French Horn causes the most problems for trumpet players.
ebjazz 2 years ago
well that may be for you
but you know Maynard started out on mellophone
which isn't that far from french horn
so ya never know
what if that kid would be the same way
a7xfan1230 2 years ago
@a7xfan1230
Mellophone uses a trumpet mpc and is played at the same pivot as trumpet. The problem that I've seen is that FH forces you to play at a downstream angle which CAN BE a problem for a trumpet player.
Not true for everyone of course.
ebjazz 2 years ago
well a true mellophone player isn't supposed to use a trumpet mpc they're suppose to use a mello mouthpice
its more like a french horn mpc that why their so alike
in both sound and how to play them
a7xfan1230 2 years ago
can't get the pencil parallel to the ground. tips?
appleseed82694 2 years ago
Yes. Go to my site bolvinmusic and listen to "How To Play Pedal Tones"
ebjazz 2 years ago
Cool Cat looks likea tabby. The pencil exercise is gr8. You can really feel the burrn and the muscles right under your chin. Are your peedle theories the same as Claude Gordons?
flugel12 2 years ago
Do what?
ebjazz 2 years ago
are you going to do it or not?
xmrxshawx 2 years ago
No but I think there is a vid up somewhere. I'm not sure you need that much strength, but everyone's different and it may help somebody.
ebjazz 2 years ago
Hi Eric, have you ever done the Bud Brisbois exercise which is holding the mp in your lips, however, you lean your body over so the mp is hanging from your lips.
UpperRegister 2 years ago
i guess you should do it with a pencil that you don't use to write xD
kareljuwet 2 years ago
It helps alot with marching. While marching, you have to both keep your upper body strong and straight, as well as keep your lips steady and strong enough to produce a good sound and tune.
A good thing to do after you are done with playing for a long time, or after doing this exercise, is to take a vitamin e capsule and a toothpick, poke a hole in the capsule, and spread the gel on your lips. It removes alot of stress on your lips and muscles, with a tingling feel.
Yes, it tastes disgusting.
FoxFacedManiac 2 years ago
You can also buy liquid vit E.
ebjazz 2 years ago
If you want to see how it can help with marching band check out my about me and you can find it lol I did that due to lack of any other place to put it.
ChuckNorr1s11 2 years ago
this exercise can also help with marching band. I would go into further detail but I was 400 characters over the limit lol
ChuckNorr1s11 2 years ago
The interesting thing about this video is not that it builds muscles in your lips. The dramatic change in the players sound is a result of more airflow. As crazy as this sounds doing the pencil exercise forces you to open your teeth. Thus creating a larger airflow and allowing you to get more air into your Trumpet. Not only making is easier to play but also opening your sound as well.
whoknewtech 2 years ago
nothing wrong with it, it won´t damage your playing, but i think it will not enhance it at all
kibadanghi 2 years ago
thats so easy
stepott 2 years ago
what if i cant get the pencil to be parallel to to ground?
dannnyyyy3 2 years ago
Then you have go as far as you can.
DarvelMurphy 2 years ago
Clude Gordon-"You've got people puttin' pencil's in their mouths now...you don't play a pencil. You play a trumpet. Ha-Ha- Seriuosly as a Reinhart 'devotee' the pencil routine can be helpful if done "properly" to aid in lip compression and or 'pinching power'
chasefreak 2 years ago
i dont know if it works but burn feels good.
GCahvez 2 years ago
Should you be able to hold the pencil upright with an overbite?I have a 3 millimeter overbite and I can't no matter how hard I try hold it upright. It is stuck at about 5 degrees below ground level. Of course, I do have braces so I don't know what to say.
BigBadBearBoy 2 years ago
same here, but try
2ynj 2 years ago
a pen okay for this exercise?
Coolbri1191 2 years ago
U don't have to be a trumpet player to do it. It is fun anyway!
dupa323 2 years ago
jajaja thanx man. funny guy too
LUISTELLECHEA 2 years ago
I can't get it parallel to the floor. Ugh...
ChristieJCJ 3 years ago
ive recently picked up the trumpet again after not playing for 6 years and doing this excercise has helped me get my lip back fast
aggieanthony21 3 years ago
so this is fine for french horn
Astacoidea 3 years ago 3
I've been playing for 3 years now and my range is not up to par. I've read about this but couldn't do it right... Thanks!
Also, I do this with a chopstick (no pun intended) Does that work? (is the aperture too big?)
undyingflame27 3 years ago
try using more hair for range as opposed to compresion.
DuvalieristX93 3 years ago
have you ever heard of the "split a quarter" exercise? Basically you put a quarter between your lips, and press them together, as if trying to split the quarter... does this work? I've only heard about it from one teacher.
trumpetman0608 3 years ago 2
I don't really think so.
tkkva 3 years ago
Is there any difference if you have an overbite?
deguijac000 3 years ago
umm i don't think so i have an overbite and i play the trumpet
bRi894 3 years ago
what if im playing mellophone oburn
Astacoidea 3 years ago
No difference.
ebjazz 3 years ago
does the shape of mouth of holding the pencil same as the shape of buzzing?
yenruen010992 3 years ago
AHHH burns so good!
BillieJeanne777 3 years ago 6
WOW! I didn't think that would do anything but it really made my muscles burn and exercise them! Marching band is coming up in about a month so hopefully i can get a leg up on the upperclassmen!
marchingeek2011 3 years ago
SO... not a good idea for trombonists??
NisbetAM 3 years ago
i cut my pencil into 3/4 and it works but i cant hold it for as long as 30 sec..thanks..
utoysupladito 3 years ago
i tried it, but it seems that i can't make the pencil parallel to the ground and i can't get hold of it even for a second, am i doing it wrong?i'm a baritone player..
utoysupladito 3 years ago
I was serious about Ticonderoga #2 because it is hexagonal. Try half a pencil or a golf pencil first.
Eb
ebjazz 3 years ago
I actually got whacked in the chops once and had to take a month off of the horn. I used this exercise to "rehabilitate" my chops. It works well to regain lost strength and endurance.
TptEg02 3 years ago
I have a ?, im just starting on a brass insturment, baritone, and i cant exacly get as high as I need yet, and i was wondering, would this help me with my range on baritone?
DrivillianGenocide 3 years ago
Read down>>>
ebjazz 3 years ago
does this help me play MUCH higher notes? like above the bar?
Exaple:
-
-
-
-
-
thaojustink 3 years ago
Just tensing up your lips alone doesn't really help to get high notes. I mean, you'll hit the notes, but there won't be much to sustain the note and it'll just have bad tone in general. If you want to play higher notes, use more air and push it faster. Lots of trumpet players close off their airway when trying to hit high notes, and that's exactly what you don't want to do. Just play with confidence and don't hold back and you'll probably get the idea of how higher ranges on the trumpet work.
SolMaster 3 years ago
ummmm, it is not about getting tighter lips, it is about getting a better emboucher. i have been playing trumpetfor a few years now, and this has greatly helped me. not only could i play higher notes, i could sustain them for a much longer period of time
thank you so much Mr. Bolvin
markmagnone1 3 years ago
my teacher told me about this exercise and said that you should really feel it in your corners. If your corners arent feelin the burn then you might not be doing it correctly or the exercise isnt for you
ryanzawesome65 3 years ago
great vid! i haven't been on my trumpet in a while.
meganDY12 3 years ago
Thanks for a great video. I thought this exercise was stupid until I started teaching younger trumpet players. I now realize how valuable it can be in learning to form a useful aperture. Many students are lucky enough to use their muscles correctly from the beginning. Many others work harder than they need to because they use their muscles incorrectly. The pencil trick is by far the easiest way to break old habits and re-train their muscles.
jjworley 3 years ago
Thanks John! Your my hero man!!
Eb
ebjazz 3 years ago
if i had use my incorrect mouth shape playing trumpet for many years, can i change my shape doing this exercise?and how long it take to build up a strong muscle?coz after doing this exercise and using new mouth shape i cant even play out a note like new trumpet player
yenruen010992 3 years ago
Are you talking about an embochure change?
This ex will not help you there. Don't change your set up without the help of a trumpet teacher.
Eb
ebjazz 3 years ago
hey man.this is good video,but can ou tell me witch camera is that you record with?
because picture is awesome!!!!!
please responde
mmooccaarrtt 3 years ago
Canon ZR500
ebjazz 3 years ago
thanx
mmooccaarrtt 3 years ago
i tried dis once...well, there's an idea!
symori 3 years ago
Yeah is true... Im Maraichi Music player in trumpet, so my teacher told me that Technic..yeah Does it work, I did it and now i play mexican music
VIVA El Mariachi!!!
trumpetmariachi75 3 years ago
Pencil excercise has worked pretty well for me, but its not an alternative to good ol' long tones - you gotta do both!
w423350 3 years ago
I think it's interesting and I have to say that after trying it i feel really big results! I'm looking forward to this helping me in the long run...
trumpetdudeman07 3 years ago
interesting...never heard of it before, but i'll try it
Thanks for the video
dave3ooo 3 years ago
thnxs helps a lot already!
mac85260 3 years ago
thank you so much its helped already
kurst1the1ruler 4 years ago
You can do it in school, or somewhere else, thats the difference
NaturesBeast 4 years ago
I agree wtro67, its better to have the trumpet on your face playing exercising written to increase your endurance than putting a pencil in your mouth
mryakili 3 years ago
wtro67 - Just so you know you can't sound rude, we can only read what you typed not hear :)
"I don't mean to sound rude"
ANYWAYS - I think this is cool I will try it :)
I
farkus89 4 years ago
If anyone here was being childish, it was you.
NukeACow 4 years ago 5
No one has suggested that the pencil ex is an easy way out.
As I state in the video, it is controversial!
But if you do it correctly, it can and has been helpful to some players.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
thank you, this is a very useful video :) im going to try this
slayerpianoman 4 years ago
great exercice, but i'm a trombone player, so should I use a pencil like this or a bigger one like markers, because I have a larger mouthpiece?
JMR6916 4 years ago
I'd stick with the pencil. Your aperture isn't THAT big!
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
Im a middle school trumpet player, and I think im gonna try it out, thx for the advice dude.
wtfbbqftl 4 years ago
Okay, so I'm kind of sticking my jaw out. Is that bad?
goldcrayon2 4 years ago
No. That helps get the lips aligned.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
hey man uhh am i supposed to force my lips hard or like let it loose?
mcrandsouthparkown 4 years ago
The grip should be firm but not forced.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
i tried this and it lowered my range an octave for about 3 days.
A7Xfan1292 4 years ago
after 3 days what happened
conman3212000 4 years ago 3
it went back to what it was before.
A7Xfan1292 4 years ago
Your may have never had to endure muscle training like this, but I bet like conman is saying, the exercise is good for you in the long run just like most exercises. Unfortunately with the trumpet, you won't see major payoff for your practice for weeks.
goldcrayon2 4 years ago
im mainly just flexing my chin muscles, i dont know whats wrong, or if this is appropriate, but if your trying to build up lip muscles, shouldnt you be wanting to loosen up your upper lip?
matthewthetheif 4 years ago
i plan to start playing trumpet and i tried your excercise you make that look ALOT easier then it is at first lol
Cheeta1020 4 years ago
is this good for euphonium ? ;))
mantas980 4 years ago
Sure. Someone else asked that, so read down.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
is the pencil supposed to be at a ninety degree angle to the floor when you're holding it in your mouth. Mine is bent toward the floor when i'm holding it. Well this affect the technique?
Franco128906 4 years ago
The pencil should be parallel to the ground.
Just like in the video.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
nice instruction. i've been using this method for several years in combination with the cat anderson routine.
it works kids. but as you say, needs to be adapted to own physique/ability. if it hurts...stop/rest.
Musical Director/Trumpet Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Liner
bradblackjazz 4 years ago
Hey man, what is the "cat anderson routine"?
MarshalMcZ 4 years ago
i was wondering.. if ur really strong can u use your mouthpiece itself?
keleent 4 years ago
I suppose, if you're Arturo Sandoval... But seriously, once you reach the max he suggests, add weight to the pencil with things like washers and whatnot, even some thick tape would work at first
StevieHendrix92 2 years ago
me and my teacher use blue tack you just change the sise if the blob you put at the end of the pencil
assasinberg 2 years ago
I started doing this in high school, great stuff!
kiku333 4 years ago
Hi..
I want to know.. I´ve tried to do that exercise but when I do this exercise I feel tension in the maxilar, to hold the pencil... I don´t feel tension properly in the muscle of lips.. probably I do this exercise wrong.. I dont know.
p.s-> sorry, my english is very bad.
IlmilalI 4 years ago 2
Hmm. You might be stretching the top lip down. Remeber to squeeze the pencil from ALL angles in a circle like the James Bond camera.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
you can also enlarge this exercise with your mouthpiece. thats high end I think ;-)
suckers987 4 years ago
I did hear of one cat who held a mpc in his lips! That's a bit over the top!!
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
excellent! I have used it with a twig and it works well, my muscles really burn!!! Why not have a video on buzzing?
dadlompoc 4 years ago
I find the Pencil Exercise is good for getting ready for a lead position concert. I like the pedal tone with bend to the neighbors for tone and general warmup. BUT, the pencil Does Work. Army Band Lead Player. 94th RRC
canosgmk 4 years ago 2
im in honors band at my school i love trumpet iv been playing since 5th grade at a solo contest in 7th grade i won most outstanding player for the room i was at i hope t become professional one day and im guna watch all ur fvids and try them
zxcccvbnm 4 years ago 2
i play tuba
tubiste11 4 years ago
Not sure it will help you, but go ahead and try. The aperture is much larger on tuba, although you still need to some muscle control, so who knows. Let us know how you do.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
excellent video! I couldn't make a single sound until i saw this!
dtran89 4 years ago
It's almost like the Karuso method
andantea09 4 years ago
whats pedal tones?
amsgnoj 4 years ago
See my website and the demo; "How to play pedal tones"
ebjazz 4 years ago
whats your web site
amsgnoj 4 years ago
Look in the info for this video. I can;tpost a url here
ebjazz 4 years ago
is this a good way to gain back ur lip strenth from not playing for quite a while?
0sprite0 4 years ago
Yes.
ebjazz 4 years ago
So should my lips be the only things touching the pencil? No teeth? or is it just that you need to try to keep a nice grip on it?
trumpetmaster09 4 years ago
No teeth
ebjazz 4 years ago
should i do the exercise after im warmed down with pedal tones etc and can i do buzzing after the exercise :)
fredrik.
Bullup 4 years ago
Sure you can. Just be sure to rest properly.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
then i did´nt do it right today or any other day ^^ i just do my pedal tones etc and maybe a 3-4 min and then the exersice
Bullup 4 years ago
Wow this seems like a great idea! Thanks Eb!
GHStennis0505 4 years ago
I was actually told this by my section leader my freshman year it really helped me.
weswissa 4 years ago
will this also work if you play trombone?
NickRaspanti 4 years ago
Sure. I received an email from a euphonium player who said it had helped him
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
i tried this and it ruined my chops. i lost about an octave on my range. it made my lips to tence. weightlifting for you're lips? it just doesn't make sense. when you want to tone and define muscles you do constant low weight lifting. you're not trying to have mega lips, but define them so they're well toned.
Elliot
Elliot84 4 years ago
Sorry to hear that Elliot. You likely overdid it, which I warn against repeatedly in the video. My advice to you; don't do the pencil exercise.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
i did exactly what you said in the video. I talked to a bunch of horn players and none of them agreed with this apporch. but if it works for you...
Elliot84 4 years ago
It's really not "weight lifting". It just helps you get a sensation of using the correct muscles.
The pencil ex. is controversial, as I state in the opening of the video. My main purpose is to see that people are doing it correctly. As with any exercise, you need to decide if it's the right thing for you. I certainly don't make all of my students do the exercise, only those I feel will benefit from it.
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
Well in your video you said "Learn how to do it correctly and THEN make up your own mind. This in itself is suggesting to us to follow your advice. You did not adequately explore the reasons as to why we SHOULDN'T do the pencil exercise or the negative effects. He may have decided it was not the right thing for him but at the cost of an octave... I guess this is why the pencil exercise shouldn't be done at all. Any easier way to decide if it is "right" or not without ruining our range?
Dirtysaski 4 years ago
Doing the pencil ex will not "ruin your range".
Remember to flap afterwards AND to do it at the end of your playing day.
ebjazz 4 years ago
Hey this is good... I've been told to do the pencil exercise many times before but I've never really been told how to do it properly so this has been heaps helpful.
rockandrollnerd 4 years ago
Hey, I recognize you from TH :D Nice to see your teacher videos on here. Thanks!
Authorized77 4 years ago
Doc Reinhardt called it the pencil trick. As usual, he was right.
bimmerfun 4 years ago
This thing really works, you feel all the muscles in your mouth. It helps to bring the lips near the buzzing hole.
beatlesguyEM 4 years ago
thats was fun 4 min ain't nothin
gameplayer9992001 4 years ago
Wow, that's harder than I thought. I just tried it, and I could feel the burn. :P But yes, it helps...I can feel the muscles that I play with. It's a great way to practice when you aren't actually playing the trumpet.
QueenAzooga 4 years ago
it puts the pencil where the apperture is
itsfatman 4 years ago
Hi, I play cornet.
Do you know of any exercises that gives me beautiful sound and strength in the 'cornet mussels' ?
maqnuz 4 years ago
hey cool, I'm using muscles I clearly didn't know about before
Ion457 4 years ago
me parese muy interesante soy trompetista pero porfa lo quiero en español no le entiendo nada
celersmusic 4 years ago
This is a great exercise for getting that nice round sound so you can do great dynamics like crescendos and decrescendos!!!!
narutoanimefan300 4 years ago
I used to use this exersize when I was in middle school, but the pencil is too large to maintain a decent apature, so I use a coffee staw, not for strength, but accuracy and technical precision.
piman1053 4 years ago
You can also remove the pencil like I show you in the video
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
do u have in spanish=? thanks
cubalibre10 4 years ago
i have been playing the trumpet for 10 years....when i was in the 5th grade i used to do that in class when i was thinking but it would work better if you bounce it in your mouth
DakoTaMe 4 years ago
That's true and I mention that in the video. The exercise helps you gain a feeling of using the proper muscles as well. Happy that you're so easily entertained!
Eb
ebjazz 4 years ago
I've been playing for 12 years and have never heard of this excercise, but it sounds interesting and will give it a go!
emmalcm 4 years ago