Why practise lip trills?
Lip trills (also called lip slurs) are essential for trombonists and other brass players. They help develop embouchure strength, endurance and smooth transitions between harmonics.
How to practise lip trills
Start slowly. Set a tempo that allows you to play the whole pattern without stumbling. Use a metronome to mark your progress and write down the tempo you can play today, then try to raise it by a few beats per minute each day. The goal is to reach a point where you no longer hear the individual notes; instead, the sound flows smoothly.
Expanding the range
If the last few intervals are too high, just skip them. Begin the exercise in first position and work your way out to seventh, repeating the pattern on every position. Once you are comfortable, try starting in seventh position and moving back to first. Focus on the direction, speed and flow rather than individual notes.
Extended version & resources
This short lip trill study is great for building control and flexibility. For an extended version plus many other flexibility routines, join my member’s section and take advantage of a 14‑day free trial. Scroll down for the sheet music and give it a try!
Good luck, and enjoy!
