The number of people complaining about stiff chops seems to be growing and for that reason, I thought it time to address the problem.
Symptoms of “stiff chops”-
1. Each morning when you begin to practice, your lips seem to be leathery or inflexible.
2. Many times your tone quality seems airy when you begin to play.
3. Flexibility exercises seem difficult.
4. More air is needed to start a note.
5. Playing soft tends to be difficult while playing loud is easy.
6. Low notes are a problem at the same time your high notes must be played loud in order to come out.
7. Flexibility is more of a problem than is endurance.
If any of these symptoms are common to your playing, I will try to address the problem and make a few suggestions on solving this condition.
Answer these questions-
Does it feel better to play in the afternoon or evening than early in the morning?
Most agree that starting to play in the early morning is more difficult and reasons for this would include the fact that you have not spoken much in the morning and the lack of motion of your lips could affect you lip flexibility. Another element would be the fact that you have been sleeping for several hours during which time your lips have sustained dryness through the constant exchange of air between your lips.
Do you experience more stiffness the day after a long practice session or rehearsal than when you have had a day or two off?
The heavy demand on your chops through hard practice and/or rehearsals tends to carry through to the next morning while a couple days rest gives the lips a chance to relax and regain flexibility. The problem with taking off a few days is the fact that we don’t have that luxury.
When you have been away from your horn, does it seem that your range is up but your endurance is down?
These two conditions are very common for the days of rest tent to relax the lips which in turn make high notes speak more easily and the lack of practice hinders good lip endurance. It seems as if one area is improved just as another is hindered.
So, what is the solution?
After many years of dealing with the question “how can I build my chops and at the same time sustain my flexibility and range”? I would like to make a suggestion, but first…….
Last Christmas my wife gave me a P-Bone and after the Christmas trappings were picked up and the kids and grandkids returned home, I began to practice my brand new BLUE trombone. I have been at it now for about four and one half months and have discovered a very strange development. MY TRUMPET PLAYING HAS IMPROVED”. My range, flexibility, endurance, tone and a wonderful feeling in my chops seem to be from the trombone practice. You might ask, “Could it be from practicing the trumpet”?
The last time I practiced trumpet was the week before Christmas!
Stay tuned for more on this situation and find out if I will be switching to trombone or continuing my current practice patterns.
You might also find this page helpful- Rest as Much As You Play
