Yourself
A Guide to Great Embouchure...
SAXOPHONE
Embouchure Formation
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Properly assembly your mouthpiece, reed and ligature
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Remember to have good Posture and Air Support.
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Bring the mouthpiece over the bottom lip and let the lower lip roll in with the mouthpiece slightly covering the bottom teeth.
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Top Teeth will grip the top of the mouthpiece
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The grip point will be where the reed meets the mouthpiece. (About 1/2 inch)
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Say the syllable “wee” to tighten the corners
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Say the syllable to “too” to draw the lips around the mouthpiece making sure that there is equal pressure surrounding the mouthpiece and reed.
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Think about pointing your face muscles so they point towards the bottom of your chin, creating what feels like a “V”.
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Your “soul patch” zone should be flat and smooth.
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Think about blowing into the mouthpiece, not across it.
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The mouthpiece should entering your mouth at a slight upward angle.​
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Click on the SEE YOUR EMBOUCHURE button to check your embouchure.
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Watch the Video for this formation in action.
Embouchure Issues
When the embouchure is incorrectly formed, you can hear some distinct sounds. Click on the buttons here to see causes and solutions to common embouchure tone problems. You can also compare your sound to the listening examples next to the buttons.
Assembling The Saxophone
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Familiarize yourself with the different parts of the saxophone.
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Put on the the neck strap.​
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Carefully clip the body of the saxophone into the neck strap.
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Add the neck of the saxophone to the body.
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Make sure the tension screw is loose before pushing the neck into position.
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The brace of the neck should be centered on the connecting rod from the body.
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Gently twist the mouthpiece into place
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​Add the reed and ligature to the mouthpiece.
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Adjust the neck strap so that the mouthpiece enters the mouth at a slightly upward angle with the weight of the sax in the neck strap.
Holding The Saxophone
Side Position for Alto, Tenor and Bairtone Saxophone
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Sit towards the front of the chair with your body balanced over your sit bones.
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Do not lean too far forward or back as this will create tension in your back and your abdominal muscles respectively.
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Your back should be straight and tall with legs out in front of you with either your feet flat on the floor or slightly tucked under your body ensuring that your chest and abdomen have enough room to expand without creating tension.
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The saxophone should sit to the right of your body.
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The weight of the instrument should be be in the neck strap with the following anchor point:
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The thumbs
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Right thumb should be under the thumb rest and be at the base of the thumbnail.
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The left thumb should be on the thumb pad pointed at 2 o’clock so that it can easily reach the octave key.
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The Embouchure
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Pinky keys
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Fingers should be slightly curled and remain the on the pearls.
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Your right arm should be relaxed and pulled back slightly so the bottom of the instrument is further back than the top. This will allow the mouthpiece to enter the mouth at a slightly upward direction.
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Your hands should be slightly curled around the instrument with your fingers stretched to touch each of the tone holes.
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Think of making the letter “C” with your hands and then pretending that it has been sat on and squashed.
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​Center Body Position for Alto and Tenor Saxophone
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Sit towards the front of the chair with your body balanced over your sit bones.
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Do not lean too far forward or back as this will create tension in your back and your abdominal muscles respectively.
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Your back should be straight and tall with legs out in front of you with either your feet flat on the floor or slightly tucked under your body ensuring that your chest and abdomen have enough room to expand without creating tension.
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The saxophone should sit in the center of your body.
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The weight of the instrument should be be in the neck strap with the following anchor point:
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The thumbs
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Right thumb should be under the thumb rest and be at the base of the thumbnail.
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The left thumb should be on the thumb pad pointed at 2 o’clock so that it can easily reach the octave key.
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The Embouchure
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Pinky keys
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Fingers should be slightly curled and remain the on the pearls.
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The bottom of the saxophone should be pulled back slightly so the bottom of the instrument is further back than the top. This will allow the mouthpiece to enter the mouth at a slightly upward direction.
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Your hands should be slightly curled around the instrument with your fingers stretched to touch each of the tone holes.
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Think of making the letter “C” with your hands and then pretending that it has been sat on and squashed.
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Front View
Side View
Front View
Side View