I`ve been playing for about 3 years and a half, and I`ve been playing with dry lips. Just recently, I`ve been taking lessons with a local trumpet teacher, and he noted that I play with dry lips and I should try wet lips. I`m confused, can any one help?

Oh and if it helps, every time I try to play with wet lips, my mouthpiece moves around too much, so I just dry them and play on.

Your lips shouldn`t be completely dry, but they shouldn`t be all wet either for the reason you said. Play whatever way is best for you, although if you play w/ completely dry lips, you could really chap the dickens out of them.

That exaplains why I always have dry lips...wow, who would of guessed?

Look into some creams for your chops. I suggest aquaphor, i use that all the time, it seems to be the stuff to use in corps. You could use any major brand of chapstick but stick to the ones that hydrate your lips. Stuff that is medicated for cold sores is a no no i.e. blistex & carmax. You can use it if ya want but remember the point of cold sore meds is to "eat" away a small layer of skin. Stick to things with vitamin e like creams with coco butter in it. Oh and dont forget protroleum jelly, i know some people who get by with that. You could go even more by buying stuff specifically made for trumpet players i.e. chops t.i.c by Zaja music & chops saver with IBOWTIE.
I use aquaphor for the night, you can find that in the lotion isle in any major store. I also use Chops T.I.C. during rehearsals or while im playing because it absorbs into the skin quickly and gets the chops feeling great. I dont really recommend anything too thick to use while playing because i find it as a distraction, kinda like having spit in the cup of the mouthpiece, bah bugs the heck out of me. Anywho have fun in all that you do, and if youre ever up for a real challenge march drum corps, its a great expierience and musically much more fun then marching band.

AWesome. I`ll look in to buying some chop cream today. Woo! Thanks alot man! You really helped me out! I appreciate it!

i rekon its better to play with dry lips, but a bit of moisture in them. use a lip balm and wipe it off just before playing. it works!