Embouchure Study -Trumpet

A WIBC Band Director'sSpecial Presentationby Cynthia Plank

Introduction

This is a photographic study ofembouchure formation at the sixthand seventh grade level. Thesephotographs will demonstrate bothgood and bad embouchures.

Why Focus on Embouchure?

Pitch, range, and articulation are allaffected by the interface of the lipsand the mouthpiece.

Good embouchure is a critical factorin successful tone production.

Poor embouchure can result in a thin,pinched, or restricted sound,and/or inaccurate pitch.

Proper Embouchure

Here are some examples of goodembouchure. These students playwith a characteristic trumpet soundthat is pure, controlled, and in tune.The tone is good throughout arange of dynamic levels.

Good Embouchure 1

Lips are firm, butnot tight.

Excess pressureis not exerted bythe mouthpieceon the lips.

Good Embouchure 2

Corners of themouth are secureagainst the teeth.

Mouthpieceplacement isgood, not too highor low on the lips.

Good Embouchure 3

Center of lips arerelaxed, chin issmooth.

Angle of trumpet isgood.

Poor Embouchure

Poor embouchure can be seen invarious forms and combinations.

Attributes to check: Lips – Tightness, exposure,

balance, and placement Corners firm against cheeks Cheeks not puffed Smooth chin Mouthpiece pressure

Lower lip is pushedforward.

Mouth corners aredrawn down.

Student overblowsto compensate.

Tone is unfocusedand pitch is bad.

Poor Embouchure 1

Lips are too tight(too much “smile”).

Poor trumpet angleto lips caused bywithdrawn lowerlip.

Student’s range islimited andunpredictable.

Poor Embouchure 2

Poor Embouchure 3

This is an example of“biting.”

Squeezing the lipstogether is causingthe chin to bunch.

Also, this student isusing pressure of themouthpiece on theface in an attempt toincrease range.

The tone is thin andout of tune.

Poor Embouchure 4

The trumpet istoo low on theface.

Exposure of thered part of the lipsis uneven.

Poor Embouchure 5

Lips are too“pouty”

Lower lip is foldedover and not firm.

This student’stone is harsh and“blatty.”

Poor Embouchure 6

Lips are rolled inand uneven.

Excess pressureis exerted by themouthpiece onthe lips.

This studentproduces astrained, forcedsound.

Poor Embouchure 7

Lips are rolled toofar in.

Tone is tight andthin.

The mouthpieceis, however,placed evenly onthe face.

The mouthpieceis placed too highon the lips.

This studentstruggles withrange andarticulation.

Poor Embouchure 8

Poor Embouchure 9

The upper lip iscovering the lowerlip.

The instrument isslightly high on themouth.

The student wouldbenefit by practicingforming the letter“B”.

Poor Embouchure 10

The trumpet isplaced too high onthe mouth.

There is too muchpressure againstthe lips.

The tone soundsstrained.

This student wouldbenefit frompracticing the “sighbreath” andrelaxing the lips.

Poor Embouchure 11

Lips are firm, but nottight.

This student appearsto be puffing the lipsrather than thecheeks.

The tone soundsforced.

Articulation is difficultfor this student.

Exceptions to The Rules

Some students may exhibit poorembouchure characteristics but stillhave a good sound.

Other students may have goodembouchure but lack breathsupport to produce a good sound.

Exception Embouchure 1

Tone is good inspite of theappearance ofbiting and excesspressure.

Exception Embouchure 2

Lips are firm, butnot tight, yet thisstudent plays witha tight, thin tone.

Lack of breathsupport causes thisstudent to haverange issues.

Exception Embouchure 3

This student hasgorgeous toneand a great rangedespite the lipsappearing to berolled in.

The chin alsoappears bunched.