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Re: How do YOU teach this

Author: symphony1010
Date: 2023-06-25 20:37

Embouchure is of course linked inextricably to setup. The student should be guided to choose a mouthpiece/reed combination that is neither exhausting for the face muscles or likely to cause undue effort in supporting the air column.

In the last few years I usually suggest a Vandoren BD5 and a V12 2.5 or 3 reed for the student who has developed their embouchure sufficiently. Other Vandoren reeds may work just as well.

At this point American and British ideas may part company! Many British players focus on a 'vocal' production. Visualising vowel sounds in the various registers can assist in creating precisely the embouchure required. Aaah! in the low register with Eeee! from the high E above the break. The top octave may require Igghh! (Hope that makes sense).

Thinking of vowel sounds avoids 'biting' and encourages the work in the lower lip muscles to centre the sound. Thinking vocally will also aid in centring the sound. On a fine instrument centred sound and good intonation will arrive together and no undue embouchure tweaking should be necessary. I notice much discussion in the US around precise amounts of reed to take in and how the chin should be angled. It's relatively easy to determine how much reed to take into the mouth. We all know what happens when you take in too much! Too little and you will end up with a thin, strained noise that is a long way from vocal.

Comments on chins and the relative position of the jaws should be questioned as we all have different physiognomy. Reading these threads I do wonder whether many players are obsessing over such things. A good teacher will observe the natural embouchure of a student and make only the changes that are required. An appropriate setup as descried earlier can actually cause the player to adopt a good embouchure that permits them to retain maximum aperture (tip of reed to mouthpiece) and a consistent flow of air. A centred sound that is in tune on a good setup in a llregisters usually indicates that everything is working as it should be.

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How do YOU teach this new

SecondTry

2023-06-14 03:47