Beginner Played my chops out

[Jay]

Obviously I'm pretty new and don't really have much in the way of chops, but today after my tones, scales and exercises, I just got into doodling around improvising and the time must have gone by.

Then I thought I'd finish by playing a couple of tunes - and I actually couldn't finish the second one, I literally couldn't maintain the seal round the mouthpiece, my face muscles got the shakes and gave out.

It was quite disconcerting. I suppose this will improve if I keep practising?

 

[Jeanette]

Yes keep at it and you will be able to play for longer 🙂

Jx

 

[kevgermany]

Little and often...

 

[Colin the Bear]

Two sessions with a little break may give more practice time than an all in one go session.

 

[Jay]

Two sessions with a little break may give more practice time than an all in one go session.

Yes, that's normally what I do.

I was just enjoying myself this afternoon and my mouth didn't co-operate. Early days I guess.

 

[kevgermany]

If you're playing this much you'll quickly get the strength to play much longer. Make sure your embouchure isn't too tight. You should be fairly relaxed.

 

[Jay]

If you're playing this much you'll quickly get the strength to play much longer. Make sure your embouchure isn't too tight. You should be fairly relaxed.

Thanks, I'll check for that. I've got a lesson tomorrow, so I'll ask my teacher too.

 

[jbtsax]

It can be disconcerting when you can't stop the air from leaking from the corners of your mouth. I had this happen to me one time in the middle of a show because my reed was too stiff. I ended up playing mostly out of the side of my mouth like Kenny G. That is not a suggestion.

BTW checking the pitch of your mouthpiece and neck is a good way to see if your embouchure is too tight or too loose. Ab concert for alto, and E concert for tenor are the recommended pitches.

 

[Nick Wyver]

3 hour gigs with the street band playing flat out used to do that to me.

 

[Targa]

3 hour gigs with the street band playing flat out used to do that to me.

How long could you play standing up?

 

[aldevis]

It was quite disconcerting. I suppose this will improve if I keep practising?

It is a matter of basic muscle strength. When I had a three week break, I ended up with fatigue issues and played an easier mouthpiece for a couple of days (not a suggestion).

It might also be a sign of a wrong setting, like jbt with a stiff reed.
Do you feel comfortable during the normal practice?

 

[Jay]

It is a matter of basic muscle strength. When I had a three week break, I ended up with fatigue issues and played an easier mouthpiece for a couple of days (not a suggestion).

It might also be a sign of a wrong setting, like jbt with a stiff reed.
Do you feel comfortable during the normal practice?

Yes, I'm fine for half-an-hour or so, but I played for longer yesterday.

 

[aldevis]

Yes, I'm fine for half-an-hour or so, but I played for longer yesterday.

Unfortunately to improve your muscles' strength, long tones (daily) are the solution.
Allegedly, Pete Thomas book makes them bearable.

 

[Jay]

Unfortunately to improve your muscles' strength, long tones (daily) are the solution.
Allegedly, Pete Thomas book makes them bearable.

I was afraid that might be the answer

 

[kevgermany]

How long could you play standing up?

Probably depended on his beer consumption during the gig.

 

[Nick Wyver]

Probably depended on his beer consumption during the gig.

Well it used to. There have been gigs where I've needed a handy wall or something to prop myself against and one particularly memorable one (free gin) where I decided I could stand up but couldn't play or I could sit down and play. I opted to sit down. I don't get lifts to gigs very often nowadays so my gig beer consumption has dropped dramatically.