The Lip Cam - Getting Started
TLC Getting Started
Welcome to the Trumpet Lip Cam. More detailed setup and playing videos are on the way, but this page will get you started.
1. Download the UseePlus App
```The TLC camera uses the UseePlus app.
```2. Give the Camera a Minute to Adjust
```When you first start playing, the image may look foggy or unclear.
This is normal.
The camera can take up to about one minute of playing to adjust to the warmth and moisture of your breath. As it adjusts, the image should become clearer.
```3. Line Up the Aperture
```For the best view, try to line up your aperture with the longest diagonal of the screen.
This usually lets you see the largest possible view of the aperture while playing.
Once the aperture is lined up well, use the onscreen rotate button in the app to turn the image so your upper lip appears on top.
```4. What Should I Play?
```You may be wondering what you should play while using the TLC.
There is no single right thing to play, but here are a few useful things to try:
Lip slurs
Flow studies
Articulations in all registers and dynamics
Bending long tones
Long tones with crescendo and diminuendo
Start with familiar and comfortable exercises. The goal is not to change everything right away. Start by observing what your aperture is actually doing while you play.
After that, try something you are not good at. Take notes on what you see, what you feel, and what questions come up. The TLC is not just about finding instant answers — it is about helping you notice things you may have never been able to see before.
```5. What Should I Look For?
```The honest answer is: we are still learning too.
One of the exciting things about the TLC is that most players and teachers have never been able to see the aperture this clearly while actually playing. So there are not yet a lot of hard rules about exactly what everything means.
That said, it does seem useful to watch for extra or unnecessary aperture movement. In general, a more efficient aperture appears to move only as much as it needs to.
It also does not seem helpful to “slam the door” on the aperture when going higher. A sudden, overly aggressive closing motion is something worth noticing.
For now, use the TLC as an observation tool. Watch what happens when things feel easy, clear, and efficient — and compare that to what happens when the sound feels tight, forced, unstable, or unclear.
```6. More Video Help Coming Soon
```Detailed setup and playing videos are on the way. We’ll be adding more help soon so you can get the most out of your Trumpet Lip Cam.
```