My daughter's lips turn a blueish purple when she plays her baritone horn?

this is her 1st year in band %26amp; her band director said he'd watch it but that he'd seen this before in other kids %26amp; was pretty sure there was nothing to worry about. I am a bit worried thought because I'm pretty sure if your lips turn purple, or blue you're not getting enough oxygen?My daughter's lips turn a blueish purple when she plays her baritone horn?
I don't think you have to worry too much. Your director will tell you if he notices anything truly unusual. Some kids, particularly little girls, discolor more easily than others. It's just a physiological thing. As her embouchure develops much of that discoloration will disappear. Ask her if she feels like she has to push hard on her mouthpiece when she plays. She could be pressing a little too hard. Have her practice buzzing on just her mouthpiece. Check to see if she is mashing it on her face. Just tell her to relax and try for a steady buzz rather than loud or high.


Good luck and welcome to the band!My daughter's lips turn a blueish purple when she plays her baritone horn?
thank yall all very much for the help, I played a wind instrument when i was in band so i wasn't really sure. Report Abuse

Bud said it best so far. the discoloration is most likely a biproduct of too much mouthpiece pressure. have her buzz with the mouthpiece (and even without the mouthpiece). I studied Emory Remington methodology %26amp; the idea of buzzing without the mouthpiece is crucial. if she does not turn colors without the mouthpiece - but does turn colors when the mouthpiece or horn are engaged, then problem solved.





i do know a couple of tuba players whose chops turn a rich purple in color after playing a bit. i believe that it is caused by the oxygen rich blood flow to their embouchures because they are both users of Remingtons process.
Yeah, all that puckering and blowing is cutting off the oxygen supply. I wouldn't worry about it unless her lips start getting numb. Seriously, she'll feel it before she does any damage to her mouth.





Maybe she can adjust her technique a bit. Is she pressing too hard with her mouth?





Maybe take up a reed instrument?
IT's nothing to worry about. Often times when you play an instrument you get that sort of thing where your instrument makes contact with your body. IT's just the pressure that the mouth of the instrument puts onto her mouth when she presses it to her mouth.
She's probably putting too much pressure on the mouthpiece. This should go away as her embouchure gets stronger.