SAXOPHONE

BASIC EMBOUCHURE

You can put your instrument together, you have great posture, and now it's time to make a sound! Don't forget your mirror as you do this next step or you can use the "selfie" view on your phone!

Take the mouth piece off the saxophone which has the reed already set up on it. The rest of the saxophone can be in rest position with the neck piece on your right side.

Place your lips lightly together and lower your jaw. Your teeth should be separated but the lips still closed

Say "O" and watch the for corners of your mouth in the mirror. They should form some wrinkles.

Check and see if your bottom lip is in front of your bottom teeth.

Next, take your mouthpiece and place it in your mouth. The reed will push the lower lip over the bottom teeth. Wrap the lips around the mouthpiece like a drawstring bag. At this point the upper teeth do not press but rest on top of the mouthpiece. The chin is firm and flat.

Note: avoid biting down on the reed. This will create tension in the embouchure and the reed won't vibrate correctly.
Take a deep breath and blow on the mouthpiece. Try and sustain the note for 10 seconds. If you can do that, try 15 seconds and then 20. Check out the links below for helpful mouthpiece + reed pitch goals and exercises.

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