The symptoms of a poor embouchure can result in the player requiring too much pressure on the mouthpiece resulting in little stamina and therefore no endurance, no top or bottom register, poor clarity and little flexibility over the playable range.

Follow these steps to help avoid any unforeseeable problems....

a.    Shape the lips to the EMM as mentioned in the previous steps. Do not smile. Hold the mouthpiece firmly between the thumb and first finger.

b.    Place the mouthpiece on the lip making sure it is centred horizontally (in the middle of your lip) and with between one half and two thirds on the top lip.

c.    With the lips closed, the top rim should be just onto the white upper lip. (The size of rim is much dependent on the size and thickness of the lips but the principles of shape still apply)
   

d.    To inhale, open the jaw downwards and the air will come in the relaxed sides of the lips. The centre of the lips will still be together in the mouthpiece..

e.    Blow air through the lip aperture toward the hole in the mouthpiece.

f.    Continue to do this until there is a natural cycle of air inhalation through the mouth and exhalation through the lips into the mouthpiece.

g.    Gradually bring the lips together while blowing air through the aperture. When there is a fluent buzzing sound through the mouthpiece. Continue until there is no air left in your lungs and inhalation must take place.

h.    Repeat this cycle.

i.     You might like to try compressing the lip aperture, like making an iris diaphragm smaller, and blow a faster air speed. (Think of this as if you are blowing out a candle and the candle is moved further away from you. There has to be more air force to reach the flame) See if you can buzz a tune or scale.

j.    You may be ready to go on to check out your Posture now?