Saxophone Embouchure Tutorial

This lesson is about the saxophone embouchure which is everything that’s going on with your mouth when you’re playing the saxophone.

It’s very important to get this right from the beginning as Incorrect technique and bad habits can cause you some big problems and long term difficulties.

Watch the video below to learn the basic saxophone embouchure:

MOUTHPIECE AND GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO:

**Vandoren v16 alto sax A6 small chamber

**The Vandoren Java Alto Sax Reeds strength 3 (red box)

**Vandoren Optimum Ligature Alto Sax

A list of the gear I use can be found here.

If You’re a Beginner

In the video, I demonstrate with just the mouthpiece and neck apart from the rest of the horn. If you’re a beginner, this is a great way to get started producing a good sound on your saxophone.

If you haven’t done so already, take 2 minutes right now to watch my video on how to put a reed on correctly.

Saxophone Embouchure Instructions

Basic Setup

1. Insert the mouthpiece into your mouth. Your top teeth should touch the top of the mouthpiece and help anchor the horn in place
2. The mouthpiece should go in to about the point where the reed meets the mouthpiece table.This is approximate. There is room to take in a bit more or less. You can experiment to find what gets you the best results.
3. Your bottom lip should be between your bottom teeth and the reed. The bottom lip will act as a cushion for the reed to vibrate on.
4. Close your mouth around the mouthpiece and reed applying firm pressure from all sides of your mouth. It’s as if you were pulling the cord on a drawstring bag.
5. Your bottom lip should be bunched up and fleshy.
6. Don’t bite down too hard on the reed. Only apply firm pressure from all sides but concentrate especially on pushing the corners of your mouth inward.
7. Take a deep breath and blow a steady stream of air through the mouthpiece and neck pushing from your diaphragm. Continue applying pressure from all sides of your mouth.
8. Hold the note you get for as long as you can.
9. Allow your throat to stay open and relaxed. Think of making an “ah” or “oh” sound.

Repetition

1. Repeat several times experimenting with different levels of pressure from your mouth.
2. Reattach the neck to the horn and tighten the screw.
3. Now practice playing long tones over the entire range of your saxophone.
4. It is normal for the muscles in your mouth and face to get tired. You have to build up strength over time by playing everyday.
5. You’ll notice as your embouchure tires, the corners of your mouth will pull back. This causes your sound to become thinner and less controlled. Don’t continue to play with a completely exhausted embouchure, as you will just develop bad habits.
6. Take frequent short breaks as necessary. I suggest listening to music for a couple of minutes while your muscles recover. It’ll help you stay focused on your task.

I strongly recommend that all saxophone players begin every practice session by playing long tones. This helps you work on strengthening the embouchure, developing control, and building a beautiful sound.

In my Core Essentials Program I teach the most important warm-up exercises for saxophone players who want to improve their sound and technique.

Everyone’s physiology is different

Some people have more of an overbite and some have more of an underbite. Lip size varies from person to person. As does the configuration of our teeth, the size of our head and shape of our jaw.

Each saxophonist needs to play a lot and experiment to find “their own personal” embouchure.

The instructions I’ve given here are a broad overview that can be applied to everyone. The minute details of your embouchure will vary for each individual depending on a range of factors.

Check out the Better Sax Core Essentials Program which guides you through exactly how to get the most out of practicing Long Tones and a whole series of other sound and technique building exercises.