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Embouchure Study -Trumpet

A WIBC Band Director'sSpecial Presentationby Cynthia Plank

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Introduction

This is a photographic study of embouchure formation at the sixthand seventh grade level. Thesephotographs will demonstrate bothgood and bad embouchures.

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Why Focus on Embouchure?

Pitch, range, and articulation are all

affected by the interface of the lipsand the mouthpiece.

Good embouchure is a critical factor in successful tone production.

Poor embouchure can result in a thin,pinched, or restricted sound,and/or inaccurate pitch.

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Proper Embouchure

Here are some examples of goodembouchure. These students playwith a characteristic trumpet soundthat is pure, controlled, and in tune.

The tone is good throughout arange of dynamic levels.

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Good Embouchure 2

Corners of themouth are secureagainst the teeth.

Mouthpiece

placement isgood, not too highor low on the lips.

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Good Embouchure 3

Center of lips arerelaxed, chin issmooth.

Angle of trumpet is

good.

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Poor EmbouchurePoor embouchure can be seen in

various forms and combinations.

Attributes to check:Lips Tightness, exposure,balance, and placementCorners firm against cheeks

Cheeks not puffedSmooth chinMouthpiece pressure

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Lower lip is pushedforward.Mouth corners aredrawn down.Student overblowsto compensate.Tone is unfocusedand pitch is bad.

Poor Embouchure 1

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Lips are too tight(too much smile).Poor trumpet angleto lips caused bywithdrawn lower

lip.Students range islimited andunpredictable.

Poor Embouchure 2

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Poor Embouchure 3

This is an example of biting.

Squeezing the lipstogether is causingthe chin to bunch.Also, this student isusing pressure of themouthpiece on theface in an attempt toincrease range.The tone is thin and

out of tune.

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Poor Embouchure 4

The trumpet istoo low on theface.Exposure of thered part of the lipsis uneven.

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Poor Embouchure 5

Lips are toopoutyLower lip is foldedover and not firm.This studentstone is harsh andblatty.

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Poor Embouchure 6

Lips are rolled inand uneven.Excess pressureis exerted by themouthpiece on

the lips.This studentproduces astrained, forcedsound.

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Poor Embouchure 7

Lips are rolled toofar in.Tone is tight andthin.The mouthpieceis, however,placed evenly onthe face.

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The mouthpieceis placed too highon the lips.This studentstruggles with

range andarticulation.

Poor Embouchure 8

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Poor Embouchure 9

The upper lip iscovering the lower lip.The instrument isslightly high on the

mouth.The student wouldbenefit by practicingforming the letter B.

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Poor Embouchure 10

The trumpet isplaced too high onthe mouth.

There is too muchpressure againstthe lips.The tone soundsstrained.This student wouldbenefit frompracticing the sighbreath and

relaxing the lips.

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Poor Embouchure 11

Lips are firm, but not

tight.This student appearsto be puffing the lipsrather than thecheeks.The tone soundsforced.Articulation is difficultfor this student.

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Exception Embouchure 1

Tone is good inspite of theappearance of biting and excesspressure.

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Exception Embouchure 2

Lips are firm, butnot tight, yet thisstudent plays witha tight, thin tone.Lack of breath

support causes thisstudent to haverange issues.

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Exception Embouchure 3

This student hasgorgeous toneand a great rangedespite the lipsappearing to be

rolled in.The chin alsoappears bunched.