The innovative Austrian firm of Vibrass will be exhibiting their product at the Royal Albert Hall on the 11th October at the Nationals.

Quick recovery

Their lip reviving device is proving popular amongst brass players all over the world, and works by stimulating the blood circulation and relaxing the lip muscles. It is ideal for providing quick recovery after arduous practice sessions or performances.

Elgar Room

Michael Lederer and Wolfgang Schmalzhoffer of Vibrass will have a display in the Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall, where interested players will have the chance to test out the device using their own mouthpieces.

Big hit

Since its launch in the UK earlier this year the Vibrass has been a hit with professional players. Big band lead trumpets love it (their chops take more of a beating than most) and lead trumpet star Mike Lovatt finds the Vibrass a valuable aid to recovery after a session playing above the stave.

Piccolo trumpet players also find it very beneficial; Michael Laird, (ex Philip Jones Brass Ensemble) whose piccolo trumpet-playing has inspired a whole generation of players, uses his Vibrass not only after rehearsals and performances but also after tiring practice-sessions.

Since its launch in the UK earlier this year the Vibrass has been a hit with professional playersVibrass

Intensive

Mark Bennett specializes in playing the baroque and piccolo trumpets and is another convert to the Vibrass. Mark has had two operations on his lip, and is more aware than most about the importance of recovering properly from intensive periods of playing.

He is in great demand for his expert playing of virtuosic trumpet parts on the baroque trumpet, where great accuracy and stamina are required, and uses the Vibrass to keep his embouchure in good condition.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

The Vibrass has found favour amongst the players of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Trumpet player Reinhold Ambros commented “Perfectly relaxed muscles after practice – a good feeling before practice” and Vienna Philharmonic horn-player Wolfgang Vladar says “A pleasant relaxed sensation both before and after concerts, rehearsals and practice. It also helps to reduce warm-up time”.

Low Brass

Low brass players also seem to benefit from using the Vibrass. David Whitson (principal trombone ENO and English Brass Ensemble) uses it to relax his embouchure and finds that it improves his pedal register! Tuba sensation Jon Sass is a convert and uses his backstage at gigs. All five players of the sensational Boston Brass use the Vibrass to help them in their hectic touring schedule.

Therapeutic

The British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) is looking at the device. It is too early to say whether or not it will have any value as a therapeutic device for those suffering embouchure problems, but it can certainly play a part in preventing those problems.

Injuries and bad habits often start when a player is playing on a tired and bruised lip. The best thing is always to stop and let the lip recover, and helping this recovery period is where the Vibrass can be so useful.