Wet vs. dry

[Deleted]

I'm curious as to which is better, or if it's a matter of preference. I try to play with as dry an embouchure as I can because I don't blat as bad, and I hate the sloppy feeling that comes when my entire mouth-area is covered in saliva. Usually I press my lips softly on my tongue and that's as wet as I can go. Thoughts?

[noxcuses]

Feb 20, 2009 23:16:06 GMT -5 @oscarisamazing said:

I'm curious as to which is better, or if it's a matter of preference. I try to play with as dry an embouchure as I can because I don't blat as bad, and I hate the sloppy feeling that comes when my entire mouth-area is covered in saliva. Usually I press my lips softly on my tongue and that's as wet as I can go. Thoughts?

I have to have really wet lips in order to play. I need it to keep a good seal to the mouthpiece so my tone isn't airy, and I also need it for facility throughout the range. In the winter when my lips get chapped and dry, I am constantly applying DCT to my lips (it has the consistency of petroleum jelly, so it's really slick). I know some people who actually apply petroleum jelly to their mouthpiece as well as their lips, especially during winter. This is, of course, more common for horn players, as our range is much larger than that of other brass instruments and we have to be able to quickly go from playing in the extreme high to extreme low ranges.

[Trombonium]

Feb 20, 2009 23:16:06 GMT -5 @oscarisamazing said:

I'm curious as to which is better, or if it's a matter of preference. I try to play with as dry an embouchure as I can because I don't blat as bad, and I hate the sloppy feeling that comes when my entire mouth-area is covered in saliva. Usually I press my lips softly on my tongue and that's as wet as I can go. Thoughts?

I hear ya dude.

I can only play a pedal tones if my lips are dry, and not sloppy with saliva.

[trumellotonium]

Saliva sucks, but I need my lips wetted. You can definitely hear when saliva enters my mouthpiece (rarely) because my sound dies completely, but if my lips are dry I lose my seal and can't play anyway.

[tubachick11]

I like slightly wet. I end up drooling in the end, due to playing tuba and the huge embouchure.

[the_sousabone]

I make out with my mouthpiece when I play .Quite literally I have a pattern to it. It goes around the rim to the left, around to the right and then I lick my lips.

[tubachick11]

^ Ya, have to like my mouthpiece too. It just feels gross if it's 100% dry.

[brassdancer]

Im typically a dry kind of person, especially when I play high. However, I kind of like a balance of the two. I like the inside of my mouthpiece to be pretty wet, however my embouchure remains dry. ANd when I'm in marching band, wet is the way to go, dunno why but on a baritone , its WORLDS easier to play.

[fluttietuttie]

I love having a wet embouchure because I hate having dry lips, period.

[bandgeek101]

If you play brass, it is best to lick the mouthpiece before using it. Make sure you clean it regularly, though.

[trittico]

generally, I prefer moist. One of the reasons I dislike the standard tuba part in marches is that I got into the habit of breathing in between the notes to keep the rhythm even, and it dries out my lips.

[Phoenix Wright]

I like my mouthpiece moist, but not covered in spit. I have to lick the cup of the mouthpiece, but if it gets too wet, i start to drown when i play. XD My lips also have to be moist. I can play higher notes when my lips are dry though.

[let1troll]

I like to play with a wet embrochre, but if I let it go to long/have way too much time without a rest or break to collect some of the saliva, it runs down my face and is EXTREMELY gross. Not cool. Especially when you miss a pick up because you can't play with your face wet. = /