Reinhardt “Pivot System” Embouchure Types and Pivot Classifications Explained

Thanks for a video Donovan! I admire your work in sharing different approaches when it comes to trumpet playing. Been into the Reinhardt stuff for a while and I personally find it very helpful! I like watching your "embouchure journey" since I'm on my very own. Thanks again and all the best!

Thank you for the video. I look forward to watching more videos from you.

Fascinating. After your last video I looked up Reinhardt. I'm back on trumpet after 35y break and really want to get my emb right. Definitely type 4, but I've been meaning towards larger MPs to get more top lip in. As I fatigue in the upper register my top lip can almost leave the cup. I now recognise this could be the effect of the pivot. Now I'm thinking that I should explore smaller MPs and focus on not pivoting so much.

BTW-if you know for 100% sure you ARE an Upstream type then you should avoid pedal tones at all costs according to "Doc"...I have a couple CD's of "Doc" explaining this transferred from a cassette to CD...I can't use them as I'm a IIIB Downstream type but, you're welcome to 'em if you'd like...

Nice video! I’m hoping to learn more about this as I read the reinhardt encyclopedia, but this was super easy to understand. Do you have any content out about type 1 and 2? I think I’m a type Ia or IIa

Hi, I think I am a type 4 of sorts for trumpet (I also play trombone, as type 3) ie both setups as per Arban's books.
Trumpet 1/3 upper lip, Trombone 1/3 bottom lip. Sadly/ Glady self taught as tutors in Bathurst NSW get high notes by good luck rather than being able to articulate what's going on. I would seem to have an high note limit on trumpet that does not change with mouthpieces.
Ie 1 1/2 C back to 7C, all the time capped at first G or A above the staff. Would appreciate further input from you to settle a few unspoken myths / legends and physics as not finding a workable answer as yet. Can also play trumpet as type 3 but endurance suffers. May only take 5 minutes of your time. I am at +10 (+11) GMT so timezone problems

Hi, Recently came across your site. I picked up the Reinhardt Encyclopedia about 30 years ago and worked out that I am a type IV (more lower lip) and pulldown to ascend. However i did not find that knowledge especially useful!
In you video you suggest that knowing the type helps in mouthpiece choice. I have played on Bach 1 and 3 size and currently play a Bach 5b. So, as a type IV, do you think I would get some additional natural benefit from playing on a smaller and deeper mouthpiece? Maybe a Bach 7b or 10b??
thanks for the video - very thought provoking.

This is really great! Please continue. Thanks!

¡Gracias!

According to my visualizer, I play with more bottom lip and pull down to ascend. However, my air stream goes more and more downward when I ascend as well, so I don't know.

Hey this really helped me to try new things I can now very easily play D4 with my Bach 3Cmt vernon.

no joke I watched this video, and I grabbed my horn and assumed I was a 3B I played normally then I tried playing while down pivoting and hit a grand C. woah!

Exelente

Creo que soy 4A pero trato de no bajar tanto la boquilla para no perder resistencia, mi pivote es tipo 2.

Ive been curious about what i was since I first heard about it. I listen to the Trumpet Gurus Podcast, and many of the grumpet olayers thT have been guests on the show have talked about it. Based on this video, im pretty confident I'm a 4. I also have always had more success with range all through my trumpet playing development, and I primarily play lead in a local big band. I have sometimes struggled with endurance from too much pressure on my too lip, but have made big progress by learning to play more efficiently and improved aperture control to not need as much pressure. I can make it through a 2 hoir big band gig without much trouble now. I have always tended to have a brighter sound, and ive just accepted it at this point. It suits my play style.

I tried figuring this out from Reinhardt's own docs but couldn't get it. This is the first vid that's help me figure out what type I am and immediately helped. I thought the 'pivot' was an angle issue, not a vertical movement.

Ya I head mike talk abought this at the school of music in 1982 when he was in the navy band it was confusing then and it's confusing now

Did you study with Doc?

Enjoyed your video. I studied with Doc from 1979 until his death in 1989. I have digitized most of his reel to reel tapes of his teachings. Also a good friend of Doug Elliott (he's who took me up to see Doc) and he has certainly refined some of Doc's teachings. I was a dry lip IIIB and Doc put me on a wet lip and now I'm a IV. I owe my career to him, Dave Sheetz and Doug Elliott. Doc was a genius but also an incredible player. I have a recording of him playing Blue Bells of Scotland in high school...amazing!

Wow...I feel really bad....I think I'm a 4a player, and it makes so much sense why I've been struggling at the trumpet for almost 25 years...I have a huge overbite and have been struggling for about 25 years to become a good player....to no avail.....Used to be good, or at least was on my way when I was in college around 2001, but I think my teeth and jaw have changed for the worse...I've been working recently w/ someone who has worked on Reinhardt stuff w/ a couple of Reinhardt's older students...He's an insanely good player and has helped me in the past..... I play on a 3c, and have been for a while, and wondering if it's too big now....Starting to lose hope that I'll ever be good at the trumpet.

The pivot is not the angle of the horn but rather the movement of the embrouchere over a pattern defined for each type player. Doc would set this up during the first lesson.

Thanks Donovan. You just don't know how much you helped me with your explanation. My playing has singnificantly improved in just a few days and is gettig better and better.

I see you like a drop of scotch 👍👍👍

I learned about the pivot system when I was in grade school (almost 70 years ago), and have his original book copyrighted in 1942, but never studied under any trumpet players in school or college. Your explanation is excellent and explains a lot about my playing. I am a type IV with a type 2 pivot. I play on a small mouthpiece and always had a very bright sound and extreme high register. Now i know why.

After days of experimenting and watching videos of embouchure shaping, I found out my type is the downstream third type. I can generate sound reliably and can hit higher note with it much more comfortably. Thank you for the video!

HI Donavan, Thanks for this explanation. It has really helped. I think I'm a 4. Where am I best going for a diagnosis.

Thank you so much

So when everyone who personally studied with Reinhardt is dead there will be no more "true" Reinhardt teachers?