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Lip trills are a common technique used by brass players for an effect and also to improve their flexibility and articulation. To perform a lip trill, the player must quickly alternate between two notes, just using their lips. Here are the steps to perform lip trills on a brass instrument:
Warm up
Before attempting the trill, it’s important to warm up your lips and mouth with some basic exercises. Play some long tones or simple scales to get your lips ready.
Choose a starting note
Pick a note that is comfortable for you to play and that you can sustain for a few seconds. The higher the note, the closer your adjacent notes will be for the trill. The closer the notes, the easier it will be to perform the trill.
Begin buzzing
Start buzzing the note with your lips, using a relaxed embouchure and plenty of air support.
Move between notes
While buzzing the starting note, rapidly alternate between two notes that are closer together without changing the valves or slide. Start slowly at first and gradually speed up the trill.
Focus on the airflow
To produce a clean and even trill, focus on maintaining a steady flow of air through your instrument. Make sure you’re using enough air support to keep the notes steady.
Practice slowly
Start by practicing the lip trill slowly, focusing on accuracy and evenness. Gradually increase the speed as you get more comfortable with the technique.
Practice in different registers
Try practicing lip trills in different registers on your instrument to improve your flexibility.
Doing lip trills
Remember, lip trills can be difficult to master, so be patient with yourself and take your time to practice. With consistent practice and proper technique, you’ll be able to perform smooth and effortless lip trills on your brass instrument.