| Embouchure means the way you put your mouth on | | | | mouthpiece to make it work. It will be much more air |
| the instrument. The saxophone embouchure is | | | | than if you were whistling. It should make a loud sound. |
| different than most of the other instruments, but has a | | | | If the sound feels too 'out of control' try taking a little |
| lot in common. | | | | less mouthpiece in your mouth. If you can't get air to |
| First say the word "OOO" and form this with nice | | | | move through the mouthpiece, try putting a little more in |
| round lips. Next, put your bottom lip over your bottom | | | | your mouth. Make small adjustments and you may |
| teeth so that your teeth are cushioned by your lip. You | | | | notice a big change. If all else fails, verify that the reed |
| don't want to put too much lip over the teeth. The | | | | is on straight, and that it is well soaked and not too |
| mouthpiece is placed in the mouth about 1/2 inch. It | | | | hard. |
| should go in the mouth at a 90 degree angle to your | | | | You should practice 'buzzing' on your mouthpiece until it |
| face. | | | | feels comfortable to you. If you are like many of my |
| Now, close the lips around the mouthpiece, kind of like | | | | junior high students, you will end up with braces at |
| closing a drawstring bag or purse. Don't bite down on | | | | some point while playing the saxophone. This can pose |
| the mouthpiece, but surround the entire mouthpiece | | | | some problems, but not too worry. Most players |
| with an even pressure. Your top teeth will go directly | | | | experience pain from the bottom teeth digging into the |
| on top of the mouthpiece. Remember that the bottom | | | | bottom lip. If pain is too much, you may be biting down |
| lip covers the bottom teeth, and the top teeth go on | | | | instead of forming a nice round embouchure. Some |
| the top of the mouthpiece. | | | | players find relief with the dental wax placed on the |
| Next, blow a nice stream of warm air into the | | | | bottom braces. |
| mouthpiece. You will have to put a lot of air in to the | | | | Good luck, and be sure not to bite! |