MORE MUSCLE POWER FOR MY LIPS.-

[donnalee23]

[B]are there any exercises to getting more muscle power for my lips?.- it´s very important to me if I can to be better in my embochure because I´m tired very soon.-

[Saxland]

I was taught by Jim Hill, Prof of Saxophone, Ohio State Univertity, at a summer music camp, that one way to improve is to smile for about 15 seconds as wide as possible, then whistle for 15 seconds. Do this in sets of 10, or whatever is comfortable. We were 15 years old when he taught us this so you may want to factor in maturity.The whistle simulates the mouthpiece without the pressure and you will see how quickly you tire. Do this every day and it will improve. I think this is covered in Larry Teals book the Art of saxophone.

As well try doing longtones for 15 minutes, break for 15, then back for more longtones.

[wersax]

Donnalee23, there are no shortcuts to endurance, although this is not to say Saxlands exercises don't have their place; they sound promising, and I did similar things early on. However, as frustrating as it is, endurance with the embouchure requires that you have a long term method going for you, horn in hand. Long tones, mouthpiece playing (scales, etc., on the mouthpiece alone) and harmonics are required study. Develop a routine and stick to it for a couple of years and see where it takes you.......