Trumpet: Endurance

   Endurance is something every trumpet player wishes they had.  In spades.  But endurance can be a confusing creature.  Therefore it is a subject best considered individually rather than collectively.

   Why?

   Endurance varies.  And there are a host of reasons for this.  Among the more common reasons are: embouchure development, amount of mouthpiece pressure, practice schedule, performance schedule, frame of mind, health, age as well as commonsense (the ability to evaluate).

   Proper embouchure development is essential to building satisfactory endurance.  The trumpet player should be able to lay the instrument aside for ten to fifteen minutes (when experiencing minor fatigue) and then be ready to resume playing.  Once again, this applies to those players possessing a properly developed embouchure.  Even so, the amount of rest can vary from player to player.  Some players might require more than ten to fifteen minutes while other players might require less time.  Regardless, trumpet players keep in mind not overextending.  And this is where emotional maturity proves an asset.

   The trumpet is non tolerant of the Me Generation mentality.  In fact, the instrument could care less what the player wants on demand.  It is interested in what the player can deliver.  And this is reflected in tone, technique as well as overall playing skill.

   There are no legitimate shortcuts to trumpet playing.  Ask those players who attempt one.  The reason shortcuts are not possible involves the requirements of physical development (embouchure) and coordination of tongue, fingers, tension (embouchure) and breath control.  All must work together as a unit.  All go together to help the player build an acceptable endurance level.  

   But to the observer, a rapid developing player can appear benefactor in "beating" the system.  One of those rare individuals who come upon some magic elixir that takes all the work out of trumpet playing.  Not so.  Regardless in how fast a player develops skill, the same muscles are involved as is essential coordination.  There is no subtraction of elements.  Simply subtraction of time.

   Excessive mouthpiece pressure makes endurance impossible to build.  In fact, the player begins to tire almost immediately.  Thus three to four songs is about the limit for players using excessive mouthpiece pressure before they require several hours to rest.  Not minutes.  Hours.  As a result the player is unable to sustain playing long enough (at any one time) to further endurance.

   For "pressure lip" trumpet players playing is a painful experience.  Their upper lip bears a noticeable ring and many times underside of the same lip bears imprint of the upper teeth.  Swelling, bruising and soreness are commonplace for lips forced to bear excessive mouthpiece pressure.  In effect the player remains in a state of perpetual over-practice.  Style of execution is unbending and double and triple tonguing are rarely executed properly.  In fact, the whole system suffers.

   While it is true players who use excessive mouthpiece pressure are still capable of producing a pleasing tone, it is not enough.  All playing elements must receive equal attention and equal development.

   Endurance is built over time.  And its acquisition depends on proper embouchure development, consistent practice, patience and commonsense.