Posted by Bill on September 03, 2002 at 16:19:56:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Upwards slurs? posted by ck on September 03, 2002 at 13:58:12:
Chester Schmitz took a year off from his horn and came back to playing the Pops (more difficult lit than the BSO). It is embouchure strength. That's Chester's opinion. That is what he taught me. Everyone has air. It's the muscles of the embouchure that create the vibrations that make the sound. Strong and flexible, like Barry Bonds.
The reason top-quality professional players can take time off is because they have created muscle to play at that level. The muscle doesn't go away that quickly. That's why we practice every day early on, to build the muscle.
This isn't an issue of more lip, it's stronger lip.
You can't have strong chops without great air.