Embouchre

So now we're ready to start playing we need to learn how to form our embouchre so we are able to make a sound and start to learn how to play the saxophone.

Embouchre Technique

Firstly you need to learn how to roll your bottom lip over your bottom teeth. Pull you lip slightly toward your teeth until you can feel with your tongue that the teeth are covered by your lip.If at this point you feel any amount of pressure on your bottom lip or teeth then you are doing it too hard. This will cause you pain later on and you'll probably end up biting into your lip. The best way I can describe it is that it's almost like forming your mouth to whistle. You need to pull in the sides of the mouth and form an 'O' but when you place the mouthpiece in your mouth ensure the bottom lip is the point of contact with the reed.

The bottom lip, when placed on the reed is going to be like a platform for the reed to rest on, and it's the bottom lip you are going to use to some extent to control the noise the reed makes.

Take the mouthpiece off the saxophone, put it to your mouth and place your top teeth on to the top of the mouthpiece by about 10mm. I know that seems a bit exact but it's not meant to. I only say 10mm because that's about where my teeth sit You may find it more comfortable taking in more or less of the mouthpiece.

Now put your bottom lip on to the reed. The amount of pressure you apply with the bottom lip will determine the sound you make.

Saxophone Embouchre

Now you've formed your saxphone embouchre you're ready to give it a blow. Take a breath and blow. If you are lucky you will get a fairly high pitched sound coming out. If not then try applying differing amounts of pressure to the reed with your bottom lip whilst blowing. Don't blow too hard or too fast. If you are not getting a sound try varying the pressure of your bottom lip, the speed of the airflow and how much mouthpiece you take in and eventually you will start hearing a few encouraging squeaks. By the way, you did make sure your reed was wet didn't you?

Gaining a sound and forming saxophone embouchre is about perseverence. There is no magical way of creating a sound you just have to experiment. You will probably find you jaw starting to ache after a few minutes. Take a breather, have a cup of tea or a beer, relax and try again.

Embouchre Sound

Got the sound yet? Great, now lets attach the mouthpiece to the saxophone and try it again. If you haven't achieved a sound yet don't worry, just take your time, there's no rush.

Now lets see what sound we can get out of our sax. Get yourself comfortable, hands in the correct position, embouchre formed around the mouthpiece and a straight back for good breathing.

Take the index finger of your left hand and place it on the second key down. firmly but with not too much pressure. Now take a breath remembering to breathe using your diaphragm.

Now blow! Woah! How bad was that! Awesome! You've just blown your first sax and in the process you've learned your first note. Thats a B you've just played. Many tunes have B's in them! So we are now well on our way to being competent with a sax. Give your self a pat on the back, pose in the nearest mirror and think about buying a hat or waistcoat to complete the image. There are possibilities of growing a ponytail as well. Not an option i've chosen myself but each to their own.

Continue Learning

Embouchre

Embouchre Technique

Saxophone Embouchre

Embouchre Sound

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