MOUTH SHAPE AND VIBRATION:

It is important to place the mouthpiece on closed lips. The lips must not be open or puckered thereby causing the vibration to take place on the inner part of the lip. Follow these steps to ensure a good foundation on which to play:

a. Slightly open the jaw and place it so that the bottom teeth are nearly opposite but only slightly farther back from the top teeth.

b. Keep the sides of the mouth tight together. Do not smile!

c. Shape the remainder of the lips to form an EMM syllable. Make sure you are not smiling and stretching the lips sideways. The red part should not be protruding in a pucker or 'kissing' shape.

Click on this image to see an
enlarged representation...

d. Inhale a deep breath by dropping the lower jaw and, in the aforementioned shape, exhale through the closed lips.

e. The compression of the lip and the air force should create an iris type aperture and produce a buzzing vibration.

f. Continue this vibration until it is well controlled while maintaining the basic shape.

g. When you are ready, go on to the next step see the Embouchure.