Embouchure & Straw Exercise

Embouchure is how you form your lips around the mouthpiece. Use a mirror when working on Embouchure. 5 Steps to a Good Embouchure

1. Smile. (Smile big enough to see teeth.) Locate the flat area just below lower lip. Hold this area flat for remaining steps.

2. With a flat chin, roll the lower lip over the lower teeth. 3. Set reed/mouthpiece on lower lip. Check mirror or use left hand to see that your chin is still flat! 4. Place top teeth on the mouthpiece. 5. Wrap lips around mouthpiece, keeping the chin flat, and play ‘open G.’ Straw Exercise (use 3 straws of different size: small, medium & large)

1. Follow steps 1-5 above, except blow air into the Large Straw. Repeat 5 times. • Long, relaxed inhalation • Flat, tight chin • Look in mirror for visual confirmation • High tongue (raise tongue by saying, “EEE”)

2. Follow steps 1-5 and use Medium Straw. Repeat 5 times. 3. Follow steps 1-5 and use Small Straw. Repeat 5 times.

Copyright 2003 by Ginger Kroft Barnetson