What is a lip slur for brass players?

• A. A method of tonguing to separate notes.
• B. A technique where pitch is changed by lip and air without tonguing.
• C. A rapid repeated-note technique for brass.
• D. A way to adjust embouchure to hit higher notes.

Answer: (B)

Lip slurs test your ability to connect notes without using the tongue. You glide from one pitch to another by adjusting lip tension (embouchure) and the amount of air you press through the instrument, keeping the tongue still. This creates a smooth, legato line where pitch changes are achieved through controlled lip and air adjustments, not by articulating each note. It differs from tonguing, which starts each note with a tongue movement, and from rapid repeated-note patterns or simply aiming for higher notes, which don’t capture the specific gliding, tongueless pitch change that defines a lip slur.