Saxophone Guide
Saxophone Guide

Embouchure

Basic idea

Embouchure is how your mouth interacts with the reed. The reed needs enough support to respond reliably, but it still has to be free to vibrate.

What’s involved

Your lips, teeth, jaw, and corners all affect that relationship. They change how the reed is supported, where the forces come from, and how freely it can move.

Philosophy

Embouchure is only one part of a much larger system. Breath supplies the energy. Voicing changes how the air resonates behind the reed. Embouchure gives the reed a stable place to vibrate.

Embouchure topics