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Celebrian
(281 points)
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I've been worried about the effects of playing a brass instrument and how that can change your tone and such on the flute and piccolo. I've been playing trumpet on and off for about a year and have given brass lessons to elementary students as well, even though I've been a flute/piccolo player for almost 9 years and have accomplished great things with my flute.
Now, I'm in a musical group where I'm required to play trumpet and it's taking a toll on my mouth. I'm preparing for a solo performance in April (The Flight Of The Bumblebee on flute), but I don't want to ruin everything by not being able to play as well due to changes I've had to make to play trumpet.
Any advice? I've read up on switching back and forth between a woodwind instrument and brass instrument and the effects it can cause, but I'm wondering what your opinion is. Should I take the chance and potentially destroy my flute embosure (sp?) by playing trumpet for this group or should I focus on my flute studies for the April recital? Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!
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lil-lime
(6 points)
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I've always been told that i wasnt allowed to play a brass instrument as it would ruin my tone. I think it depends on what you want to play more? Or how much you care about ur tone 
And "CONGRATS"! Ive always wanted to play flight of the bumblebee- its a life time ambition kinda thing!
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Account Closed
(904 points)
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Last year, I switched from clarinet to baritone, and then this year, from baritone to bassoon. It didn't hurt me at all, but then again, I had three months of rest in between because of summer break. I'm not sure what would happen from switching back and forth, but I think with time, it would become relatively easy to make an adjustment, and without any bad effects.
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ekdavies
(190 points)
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Providing you keep playing flute/piccolo, playing brass instruments shouldnt be a problem. However, don't expect to switch instantly as the muscles take time to adjust. I find switching from Piccolo to french horn takes at least a minute or so to adjust properly. Excessive pressure and stretching of the lips when playing cornet/trumpet/horn is mostly likely to give problems when switching to/from flute.
Obviously, you need to find substantially more time in order to practice both adequately to play both at a high standard. Some music colleges do require students to play two instruments.
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Micron
(1408 points)
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The more you practice switching between instruments, the better yhou get at them not interferring with eachother. Eventually, no problem.
BTW, Posted by Sir James Galway in a flute forum on October 24, 2002:
"I play the French horn and saxophone (real bad on both) and it has not affected my embouchure at all. In fact, playing the French horn actually improved it. I became more aware of the changes which are necessary on the flute. My brother plays the flute, Clarinet and Sax and I think he is great on the flute."
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Celebrian
(281 points)
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Thank you for the advice... I've been working on the trumpet and, besides having swollen lips, I haven't noticed a change in my tone or anything on the flute. I'm going to take it easy, though, and still be cautious. After solo "season," I'll dive into the trumpet a little more! Thanks!
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ekdavies
(190 points)
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Your lips should not swell when playing any brass instrument. Its possible you have an allergic reaction to the mouthpiece or are using too much pressure.
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DottedEighthNote
(180 points)
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Is it actual swelling or are different muscles in your mouth becoming toned and changing the way your lips feel?
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Micron
(1408 points)
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"Your lips should not swell when playing any brass instrument. Its possible you have an allergic reaction to the mouthpiece or are using too much pressure."
I think that if you buzz your lips for 10 minutes, then play flute, you will notice they behave as if their shape is a little different. Perhaps the lips DO change shape. Perhaps it is just a perception from the disturbed nerves.
No doubt, with practise, the player gets adept at adjusting to this.
If I play clarinet for 30 mins, then change straight to piccolo, I know I cannot trust the (slightly numbed?) sensations coming from my lips to my brain, but can still play piccolo OK PROVIDING I ignore these sensations, and make the lips do what I know they are supposed to do for piccolo. One way communication to the embouchure, relying totally on sound for the feedback, rather than lip nerves.
A bit like successfully eating or drinking in spite of a numbed lip after the dentist.
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Celebrian
(281 points)
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My lips really do swell, but I don't think I'm applying too much pressure on the mouthpiece. I DO have a sensitivity to certain metals, so I'm going to borrow a few mouthpieces and try them out, too, to see if I'm getting the same reaction with different metals/plastics. Right now the mouthpiece I'm using is metal; I might try plastic.
They are slightly numb, too, after I'm done practicing, but it never lasts very long.
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Kara
(2900 points)
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I played the Sax for a little while and could not get over trying to change back to the flute because of that buzzing sensation. I don't know how the doublers do it.
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Micron
(1408 points)
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Keep practising the changes. In a good broadway show part there may be 60+ changes through a "reed" part. Eventually, no problem.
For me, a long ppp part on clarinet, or jazzing in clarinet top octave, followed by a piccolo solo, was most difficult, and initially seemed impossible, but eventually was sweatless.
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Celebrian
(281 points)
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I'm working on dealing with the buzzing with different mouth exercises my director taught me. I can't tell if it's made a difference yet because I've only had a chance to play trumpet for just a few minutes these past few days, but I'm sure that will help a little.
Thanks for the advice! I can't tell you how helpful it is! (Now, if I can only find a way to keep my drumsticks from breaking my fingernails! Hehe...)
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muzicchik573
(18 points)
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just learn the ways to get good tones an each instuments and apply those... that should work...
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searching...
