Brass players - how to keep your chops in shape

[Joenew61]

Just wondering how you folks that are horn players keep your lips in shape when you are away. Trombone player here who does a lot of jazz/big band playing when at home, and after being away for a few weeks or more, it takes at least a week to get back to respectable enough to perform. Tried mouthpiece buzzing, but it doesn't really maintain strength and flexibility. Anyone actually bold enough to play inside your rig with a neighbor 20 feet away?

 

[Professor David]

Have you tried a practice or travel mute?

https://www.amazon.com/Denis-Wick-DW5587-Euphonium-Aluminum/dp/B007ZRYOLM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3U3TFULGW81YO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HrVjov81KAIKNlKTP58USTElTC4pQRN_SlsNS_j-a3QfN3cJOinLMZIngNyEHLRgw5C8poP-bjS5NcqhHb7vJV5SoxLp4jkoIoK88vpUItB6LbPLhZ6jd1tA5t3XBdVOg8wNmIURfrght599XtbJrGvHuqaUG_yfZGtA9gxK_Em1d5OztGPRqLx429pClWS7PyYYpQJBMtLF0CClXtwKewkjRoANuICjWFjP1ZCgcWm9CEGbdu8X_el4QJGw_CheZjFud5EiHggXvnqHPJzH59oTCFk9MEg4LXD4k-VGnH4.1FpRoohQ3FinegIHB2cnnXeLaKMy9PPxTNdnlNOLn_0&dib_tag=se&keywords=wick%2Btrombone%2Btravel%2Bmute&qid=1777588728&sprefix=wick%2Btrombone%2Btravel%2Bmute%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-2&th=1

 

[Joenew61]

Have you tried a practice or travel mute?

https://www.amazon.com/Denis-Wick-DW5587-Euphonium-Aluminum/dp/B007ZRYOLM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3U3TFULGW81YO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HrVjov81KAIKNlKTP58USTElTC4pQRN_SlsNS_j-a3QfN3cJOinLMZIngNyEHLRgw5C8poP-bjS5NcqhHb7vJV5SoxLp4jkoIoK88vpUItB6LbPLhZ6jd1tA5t3XBdVOg8wNmIURfrght599XtbJrGvHuqaUG_yfZGtA9gxK_Em1d5OztGPRqLx429pClWS7PyYYpQJBMtLF0CClXtwKewkjRoANuICjWFjP1ZCgcWm9CEGbdu8X_el4QJGw_CheZjFud5EiHggXvnqHPJzH59oTCFk9MEg4LXD4k-VGnH4.1FpRoohQ3FinegIHB2cnnXeLaKMy9PPxTNdnlNOLn_0&dib_tag=se&keywords=wick%2Btrombone%2Btravel%2Bmute&qid=1777588728&sprefix=wick%2Btrombone%2Btravel%2Bmute%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-2&th=1

Will likely have to go this route. Interesting you linked to a euphonium practice mute. While my main axe is trombone, I have a baritone horn that I will probably take on the road so I avoid poking the dogs or worse my wife with the trombone slide. I can play the baritone sitting in a small space.

 

[Professor David]

Will likely have to go this route. Interesting you linked to a euphonium practice mute. While my main axe is trombone, I have a baritone horn that I will probably take on the road so I avoid poking the dogs or worse my wife with the trombone slide. I can play the baritone sitting in a small space.

Probably worth buying a high quality mute like the Wick. Didn't realize the one I linked was for a baritone. It is all about maintaining the embouchure.

 

[ButchW1]

Years ago I set up my construction trailer up across from the Long Beach (CA) Convention center, in a huge empty parking lot (Now built over).... Every day, at noon, a guy would walk out to the middle of the lot and play his horn for a 1/2 hour (lunch break?).... I assume he wanted to practice, and needed somewhere to do it and not disturb others in the meantime... That went on for a year and a half to two years, nearly every single day unless it was raining... Since that is built up now, I wonder if he still practices, and where... I looked odd seeing him standing out, alone in the middle of the huge, empty parking lot and playing...
Butch

 

[Tom]

A well-known local river rat, Hal Schell, for years lived full time on his boat on local waterways. Every morning at Dawn he would get out his bugle and play Reveille.

 

[8Muddypaws]

Our grandson is a French Horn player. He also plays a Euphonium and trumpet, piano and guitar. We bought him a pocket trumpet to keep his lips in shape. He says it sounds like crap but did the job.

Do they make pocket trombones? Don’t think so. But I discovered that they make clip on handlebar mustaches for your mouthpiece! Amazon is amazing.