How to change pressing too hard against mouth piece?

Question:I have been playing the french horn for about 8 years and I have always had a ring around my lip all the time. I just never knew it was incorrect until I begin playing at college. I don't know how to play without pressing against my lip but I play first chair so I can't play very loud or the high notes (G, A, B...) because then I press even harder and I can't get any notes out. My teacher tells me to pull my horn away but then I can barely get a sound out. Then he tells me to use more air and I press harder then too. It's very frustrating because I can't practice more than 30 mins and in rehearsal my lip dies quickly and I get a painful ring around my lip. Any suggestsions??

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have been playing the french horn for about 8 years and I have always had a ring around my lip all the time. I just never knew it was incorrect until I begin playing at college. I don't know how to play without pressing against my lip but I play first chair so I can't play very loud or the high notes (G, A, B...) because then I press even harder and I can't get any notes out. My teacher tells me to pull my horn away but then I can barely get a sound out. Then he tells me to use more air and I press harder then too. It's very frustrating because I can't practice more than 30 mins and in rehearsal my lip dies quickly and I get a painful ring around my lip. Any suggestsions??

your teacher is right. you need to pull your horn away just a smidge. not much. when you push in you can not play as loud and the tone is not as good. do not push. just use more air and practice playing with the horn not pressed so hard against your lips. it will work trust me. i am in my schools marching band and concert band and everything else we have which is over four different ensembles. i hope i helped and you will get better. good luck and keep playing.

lol cool