How to Understand Elements of Embouchure for Clarinet

If you want to master the clarinet, you must have the correct embouchure. Embouchure refers to how you hold your mouth when you are playing a musical instrument. You need to hold your mouth correctly to play the clarinet properly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Understand that your mouth position depends on how you move and hold your mouth muscles. Control your embouchure and you control your sound.

2. Perfect your embouchure technique early on and you won't run into problems when your clarinet playing advances. While your fingers are moving from key to key, your mouth should stay in form.

3. Place the clarinet's mouthpiece into your mouth. Your lower lip will cover your teeth. Angle your mouthpiece at about 35 degrees. Place the clarinet over your covered teeth and place your upper teeth on the mouthpiece.

4. Place your upper lip the mouthpiece and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Tilt your head forward and tighten your lip muscles around the clarinet's mouth piece.

5. Blow into the clarinet keeping your embouchure as you blow. Stay relaxed but aware so that you keep your embouchure in correct form. Your mouth muscles should stay tight even while your body is relaxed.

6. Stand in front of a mirror and watch your embouchure while you practice so that you can see any mistakes you make. Listen to the different sounds as you change the muscles until you get the sound you want.