Posted by john on March 25, 2008 in reply to Re: Re: Re: Re: Lip Buzzing (good or bad?).:
I agree 'corner muscles' of the mouth can be trained. But why not keep going inward? The corners of the mouth are controlled by the orbicularis oris muscle that acts as a sphincter muscle, so actually it works like a purse string and not so much pinning at the edges. The aperature is controlled by the depressor oris (the back of the lower lip)and the inferior part of the orbicularis oris.
So I am thinking you can work on these muscles as much as you want inwards. Now, if you use a mouthpiece all the time you will get used to it being a tool to secure the lips or part of the lips. And then as Tim pointed out you switch to a different rim you will feel a diference and it will take time to adjust. I agree with that, but only because we have been using the mouhtpiece rim as a tool to secure. It might be weird but I don't like most rims and rarely play with a rim. I am not saying this is right, it is just what I have been doing.
Now, the resistance you mention seems quite interesting also. But I don't know that the effect is just what a player likes, or if it actually will make a differnece in hitting your notes. They say a closer hand in the bell helps to stabilize the higher notes. Does resistence then do the same? Are players who use a horn with more resistence in the mouhtpiece and horn able to play more accurate high notes? Is resistence a crutch or a good tool?
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