The correct embouchure
Tuesday September 11 2007
I’ve been having several conversations with several people recently about correct embouchure, so I thought I’d post my thoughts on the website.
Now I know different people have different mouths, different embouchures, and are capable of different embouchures. However, when people discuss embouchure with me, it’s usually because we’re discussing what’s the best embouchure to get the maximum out of my reeds.
I think the best embouchure for my reeds is a flat chin with corners pulled outward, as if you pulled a drawstring in one of the corners of your lips and they pulled together. Some people refer to this as a “pucker”. Now I believe Mr. Weber would disagree with me on this concept. He pulls his corners way back like he’s smiling, and his theory is to get the lips further away so there’s less cover on the reed, so that it can vibrate more. This might be true, and might work better, and maybe in a couple years I might even be saying the same thing. But for now, I believe my embouchure fits me and fits the reed. I pucker a bit, roll my lower lip in slightly more with the reed, and bring the top lip down and place it on top while NOT… rolling it in. This is perhaps because I have a bigger lower lip than an upper lip.
I definitely think you shouldn’t use a round chin on my reeds, which encourages players to take in too much lip, and bite down on the reed. It also prevents players from rolling in and out to adjust the pitch.
Above: Correct Embouchure Pictures
Above: Incorrect Embouchure Photos
Sep 14, 2007
Thanks for the embouchure photos. My lesson with Cheryl covered this topic, and
I’ve been thinking that I really need help. I know that you tried to show me the correct embouchure in January, and I think that I have improved. Nonetheless, I still need alot of work and practice….don’t we all.
I’m so glad to here that you are excited about your Master’s studies at Oregon.
Thanks, Judy
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