Embou-sure

Question 1

FLUTE

No tone, rushing air

Answer 1

Causes

1. air is going across hole
2. lower lip not on hole
3. corners of lips not pulled together

Remedies

1. blow more into hole
2. place more lip over hole
3. more “Whee”

Question 2

FLUTE

Some sound, mostly air

Answer 2

Causes

1. “splitting” the tone
2. too large of an opening in lips

Remedies

1. lower chin, blow down
2. more “oo” needed

Question 3

FLUTE

High-pitched “whistle” (overtone)

Answer 3

Causes

1. too much air
2. head joint rolled out too far

Remedies

1. blow less hard
2. turn headjoint in

Question 4

FLUTE

Flat pitch

Answer 4

Causes

1. hole covered too much
2. rolled in too far

Remedies

1. cover less hole
2. roll out

Question 5

TRUMPET

No tone, rushing air

Answer 5

Causes

1. lip not together (spread apeture)
2. too much pucker in the lips (“oo” shape)
3. dry lips, dry mouthpiece
4. insuffecient air to make lips vibrate

Remedies

1. re-form and maintain “B” position with lips
2. re-form and maintain “B”
3. lick lips, inside of mouthpiece
4. review “sigh” breath; use faster air

Question 6

TRUMPET

airy tone

(some airy tone is common until the lips begin to viberate naturally)

Answer 6

Causes

1. lips not together (spread apeture)
2. too much pucker in the lips “oo” shape

Remedies

1. re-form and maintain “B” position with lips

Question 7

TRUMPET

tight, thin, pinched tone

Answer 7

Causes

1. tense excessively pursed lip formation (biting)
2. too much pucker in the lips (hard “oo”)
3. tight, closed throat

Remedies

1. relax; re-form “B” but demphasize lip pursing
2. no pucker (more “M”)
3. review “sigh” breath; suggest yawn with head up

Question 8

TRUMPET

stopped (restricted throat or buzz)

Answer 8

Causes

1. tense, excessively pursed lip formation (biting)
2. too much mouthpiece preassure toward lips
3. tight, closed throat

Remedies

1. relax, re-form “B” but demphasize lip pursing
2. relax left hand grip; no right hand little finger hook
3. review “sigh” breath; suggest yawn with head up

Question 9

TUBA

no tone, rushing air

Answer 9

Causes

1. embouchure not formed tightly enough, lips spread
2. air stream restricted, closed throat, high tongue

Remedies

1. re-form embouchure, “OH- OO SQUEEZE,” grip tube more firmly
2. emphasize “OH” to open throat, keep tongue down

Question 10

TUBA

thin, pinched tone

Answer 10

Causes

1. embouchure formed too tightly, lips pinched
2. insufficient volume of air passing between lips

Remedies

1. loosen grip on the “tube”
2. review deep breath and fast expulsion of air

Question 11

TUBA

gargled tone

Answer 11

Causes

1. embouchure not formed tightly enough
2. lips folding over teeth

Remedies

1. grip the “tube” more firmly
2. re-form embouchure, “OH- OO SQUEEZE,” use ring to check lip position

Question 12

TUBA

stopped or intense air

Answer 12

Causes

1. lips pinched completely together
2. insufficient volume of air passing between lips

Remedies

1. De-emphasize gripping tube, re-form “OH-OO”
2. review tongue position (OH) and fast air