Advanced Chicago Dentists

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Enhancing The Trumpet

Your ability to play the trumpet is directly influenced by the overall function of your mouth, teeth, and the muscles of your head and neck.  You may have developed a compromised style of playing to compensate for deficiencies in your mouth, and the muscles of your face.  The good news is that these deficiencies can be overcome and corrected.

From my readings and research the best playing position is to have the lower teeth align evenly with the upper teeth to make a barrier where the instrument’s mouth piece can comfortably rest without tilting up, down, or side to side.  With this optimal position the lips should be free to vibrate with the instrument pointing straight out.  Also, in order for the embouchure to function at the highest level, the jaw needs to come forward at least a millimeter from and “ideal” bite position.  This “ideal” or Neuromuscular jaw position is different for everyone but it can be measured and applied to everyone’s unique physical makeup.

This Neuromuscular position is what truly can make the difference in horn playing.  By achieving the proper bite with your teeth, and the proper muscular position with your jaw the comfort, clarity, and range of your playing can improve.  Instead of looking for a magic “system”, or a special teacher to guide you look at the physical limitations that have become part of your inefficient playing.