3 year Embouchure Update from John Behrens

 How I love getting news like this:  

"Hi Valerie

I hope you and your family are well, and that you have been able to get back into playing.

We are all doing fine over here.

Another year has ticked by developing the BE technique. I thought I would just check in with you to let you know how I'm going.

I'm still firmly pursuing developing a balanced embouchure. These days my lip squeak is much closer to what is demonstrated on the video clips. I perceive that over the past three years there has been differing degrees of getting the lip squeak happening but now the muscles have finally learned what they are supposed to be doing. There is still room for development but I'm finding that tone and fluency are getting much closer to a professional sound. 

The C5's are easier to get at the end of a practice.

It is satisfying too, to be able to play pieces from start to finish without having to take a rest break.

I am able to do the lip slur jump from bottom C to C4. I find that doing this seems to set my lip correctly to play a scale up to C5 and back down again.

A mini orchestra at church is my main outlet for playing, making practice worthwhile.

So that is where I'm at. Will say Hi again in a years' time.

Best wishes

John

RETIRING FROM BOOK SALES

 I'm no longer selling THE BALANCED EMBOUCHURE book, but I'm still a big fan and promoter of Jeff Smiley's amazing work.  If you wish to order a BE book, go here.  It's been a wonderful journey.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.  

Valerie Wells

Roll-Out Helps Everything!

After a 22 month lay off due to the pandemic restrictions, ensembles are opening up again.  Before rehearsal a couple weeks ago, I was playing a few BE Roll-Out exercises to loosen up my chops.  One of the horn players, a former BE student, in the band commented, "Hearing you practice your BE exercises makes me want to do them again."  I responded with "You should be practicing your BE exercises regularly ... even it if it's only once a week."  

The following week at rehearsal, he exclaimed with a big smile on his face, "I've been practicing Roll-Out all week.  Like you've always said, Roll-Out isn't just to develop the low register.  Roll-Out helps everything.  Everything is better!"   

See this:  http://beforhorn.blogspot.com/2011/07/some-things-are-not-obvious.html 

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To Order The Balanced Embouchure book:

Step 1. Email me: ValerieW78 “at” Gmail “dot” com. Please tell me what instrument you play and the country you live in.

Step 2. I send you an invoice with payment options (credit card, PayPal, check or money order).

Step 3. You pay the invoice.

Step 4. I ship your BE book.

Happy horn playing!

Valerie Wells  

Time to work on your chops.

 

Ensembles will be reopening soon!  Be prepared!  

Brass players around the globe are taking advantage of this down time to improve their chops.  So....don't be afraid to contact me for a book order.  

Just email me:  ValerieW78 "at" Gmail "dot" com

Covid or not, I'm still selling BE books!

 YES!  I'm still selling BE books.....and lots of them!  Brass players around the globe are taking advantage of this down time to improve their chops.  So....don't be afraid to contact me for a book order.  

Just email me:  ValerieW78 "at" Gmail "dot" com

Renewed Interest at Ripe Old Age of 77!

The following is an email exchange between Robert Hilton and me.  

Robert:

I am enjoying reading your book. As a lifelong music educator, and a 58 year horn player, I wish I had learned some of the concepts many years ago. Unfortunately, I never had a true horn teacher so all that I have learned has been on my own and a lot of trial and error. 

I am using my own modification of the roll in/roll out method. I have always had a good low register down to the pedal c on the B flat horn, but have had to work hard to play extreme the upper register and have endurance. I have extended my upper register with my version of the roll in technique to a consistent High B flat so that I can get those places in the Strauss that I have always feared.  I started my instrumental career as a trumpet player and had to make a traumatic change  to horn in college because of embouchure issues. I still enjoy playing out of the Arban book as I teach my twelve year old grandson to play trumpet. Transposing to play out of his books has also made me hustle. 

Again, thanks for my renewed interest in horn playing at the ripe old age of 77.

Valerie:
Robert, Thanks for contact me again.  Sound like you're making solid progress.  You are doing EXACTLY what you are supposed to do.... you are adapting the BE instructions to what works for you!  You're fiddling around with it.  I'm tickled to hear this. That's how we develop.  this means you aren't getting hung up on details that could hold you back.  Bravo!!!  You may find later, even a year or more later, that you have developed more flexibility and technique and may be able to do the exercises exactly as Jeff describes them, but please don't fret about that now.  I didn't "get it" all at first, so I did my own thing as best I could like you.  With time was was able to more closely emulate Jeff Smiley's instructions and the improvements were solid.

Robert: Although I don't follow the technique exactly, my high range and endurance have improved.  Maybe if I followed the book better and practice more I would see even more improvement.  But, at the ripe of age of 77, my inspiration to practice is a bit inconsistent to say the least.  I can now get through the Strauss without getting panicky over the high B flats and that is something I have sought for many years.  Many thanks.
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To Order The Balanced Embouchure book:

Step 1. Email me: ValerieW78 “at” Gmail “dot” com. Please tell me what instrument you play and the country you live in.

Step 2. I send you an invoice with payment options (credit card, PayPal, check or money order).

Step 3. You pay the invoice.

Step 4. I ship your BE book.

Happy horn playing!

Valerie Wells  

Almost 13 Years & Still Going Strong!

      It's been forever since I've posted.  Why?  Well, there's really nothing new to report about my horn playing.  I still practice The Balanced Embouchure exercises to stay in shape. I'm still very happy with my range and endurance.  BE has been great for me and lots of others.  Thank you, Jeff Smiley!  This is how I came to BE.





The Balanced Embouchure Book with CD is $45.00.
The BE for French Horn booklet and/or PDF of horn adaptations is $3.00 (with book purchase).
Shipping & handling is $5.50 to $25.00 depending on location. (The quoted prices are in US dollars.)

Those who purchase The Balanced Embouchure with a Comfy Horn Strap, receive a $5.00 discount (as well as break on shipping).

To Order:

Step 1. Email me: ValerieW78 “at” Gmail “dot” com. Please tell me what instrument you play and the country you live in.

Step 2. I send you an invoice with payment options (credit card, PayPal, check or money order).

Step 3. You pay the invoice.

Step 4. I ship your BE book.

Happy horn playing!

Valerie Wells