Greetings,

My name is Candace and I am a music major(voice. I have never played an instrument before in my LIFE(except piano). I seriously could use some pointers on how to improve my "Buzzing" skills for my Brass Methods class before the semester ends. HELP! )

Hi Candace,

One trumpet teacher I met used a trick where he has his students put the tips of their index fingers in the sides of their mouth, and then do a buzz that way.. to get used to the idea.

I've tried buzzing as well -- a new concept to me as I'm really a woodwind player who's exploring brass. And it seems to me that it helps to moisten the lips first. And as well, to keep the corners of my mouth kind of firm, while leaving the middle kind of loose.

Having said that, I have heard arguments that buzzing the lips isn't really a worthwhile exercise in brass playing. For example, Claude Gordon was adamant that one doesn't play the mouthpiece, but the horn, so don't waste your time with buzzing and trying to perfect that. I see his point and I found unnecessary.

However, there are others who seem adamant about it as well. And I watched one video where a guy buzzed his lips really well and then played the trumpet extremely well.. But then again, Claude Gordon played extremely well and so did his students.

So, my view of it is if it works for some, fine, and if it doesn't work for others fine -- I don't want to be dogmatic abou it. But I do think that if you have trouble with buzzing, that doesn't mean you can't play a brass instrument.

I wish you the best!!!

Michael