Embouchure is just the fancy word used to refer to the way in which a player applies the mouth to the mouthpiece or reed of a wind instrument. This simple yet fancy word, however, is the foundation to achieving the desired tone! On a brass instrument, it is the player's lips that produce the vibration necessary to create sound and not any part of the instrument itself. Though this form of producing tone is not difficult, you must keep in mind that the lips of a beginner are not accustomed to vibration and will feel strange the first few times. On your tuba, we will focus on how to properly position your lips and the mouthpiece and what to listen for to ensure the correct embouchure is being used to produce the proper tone.
The Mouthpiece
Before attempting to form a proper embouchure, you should be sure the mouthpiece you are using is right for you and will set you up for success! Mouthpiece selection is important for each student as an individual, and though it is true that new student-line instruments usually come with a mid-range mouthpiece suitable for the average beginner, individual characteristics such as your teeth, jaw, the shape of your lips (thickness and width), and the strength of your embouchure can affect which mouthpiece you will be the most successful on. Talk to your director or private instructor to assist in finding a mouthpiece that is right for you!
The Process
While many teachers will ask their new brass students to first buzz their lips, then add the mouthpiece, and finally add the instrument, this practice is not necessary and can sometimes be confusing to the beginner. There is a big difference between buzzing the lips and the act of buzzing on the mouthpiece, and there is a big difference in the amount of back-pressure or resistance produced by the mouthpiece alone and the back-pressure or resistance produced by the mouthpiece when it is connected to the instrument. It is important to note, however, that mouthpiece buzzing exercises are a very useful teaching tool after the beginning stages of embouchure development.
You are going to start by saying "OH", holding your lips in that position. |
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With your lips in the "OH" position, gradually change to an "OO" sound and shapes with the lips, tightening toward the center. This will bring the corners of the lips to a firm set. When doing this, you can picture or even try grasping a small tube or pen in the center of your lips. |
Maintaining the "OO" position with your lips, bring the mouthpiece up to your embouchure and place it comfortably on your lips with 2/3 of the mouthpiece over your upper lip and 1/3 over your lower lip. This might not be physically possible for smaller students, so aligning the mouthpiece closer to 1/2 over the upper lip and 1/2 over the lower lip may be necessary at first. Remember how this feels so it is easier to reproduce again later. |
Now it's time to attach the mouthpiece to the body of the tuba! Using a gentle twisting motion, insert the mouthpiece into the leadpipe of the tuba. This will create a firm connection which will prevent the mouthpiece from falling out.
*** IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Be sure your tuba is in good working order – we don't want a poor quality instrument getting in the way of our great tone! Incorrectly placed valves, bent or leaky spit valves/water keys, and dents in the body of the instrument or mouthpiece are just some things that can have a negative effect on your sound. If your instrument hasn't been in for repairs in a while, or you think something might be wrong with the instrument itself, see your director, private instructor, or local repair shop for help with this. ***
With the tuba assembled, make sure you are sitting with correct posture and holding the instrument properly (as instructed to do so by your director or private instructor). Re-form the "OH-OO" embouchure, place the mouthpiece comfortably on your lips with the correct 2/3 to 1/3 ratio, take a deep breath, and blow with the same amount of air pressure you would use to blow out birthday candles.
With no valves pressed down, one of two notes are likely to sound: 'F' or high 'B-flat'. You may also find you are sounding a low 'B-flat', but that is less likely. You can use a tuner to check which note you are playing and if you are getting the correct pitch, or just match the pitch and sound you hear below.
*** IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Be sure your tuba is in good working order – we don't want a poor quality instrument getting in the way of our great tone! Incorrectly placed valves, bent or leaky spit valves/water keys, and dents in the body of the instrument or mouthpiece are just some things that can have a negative effect on your sound. If your instrument hasn't been in for repairs in a while, or you think something might be wrong with the instrument itself, see your director, private instructor, or local repair shop for help with this. ***
With the tuba assembled, make sure you are sitting with correct posture and holding the instrument properly (as instructed to do so by your director or private instructor). Re-form the "OH-OO" embouchure, place the mouthpiece comfortably on your lips with the correct 2/3 to 1/3 ratio, take a deep breath, and blow with the same amount of air pressure you would use to blow out birthday candles.
With no valves pressed down, one of two notes are likely to sound: 'F' or high 'B-flat'. You may also find you are sounding a low 'B-flat', but that is less likely. You can use a tuner to check which note you are playing and if you are getting the correct pitch, or just match the pitch and sound you hear below.
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TroubleShooting
If you are not quite able to match the correct sound on the tuba, don't get worried just yet! There are several things we can change and fix to help you achieve the proper embouchure and produce the correct sound! Listening to the examples below, find which one most closely matches the quality of the sound you are making and follow the instructions provided to help you get closer to the desired tone.
* Please note that the examples below, when a pitch can be heard, use the starting note 'F'. If your more comfortable starting note is high or low 'B-flat', you can still use the troubleshooting tips below based on the sound quality you are hearing.
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Are you not getting any tone and just hear rushing air when you play, like in the example here? This could be because your embouchure is not formed tightly enough and your lips are too spread. To fix this, re-form the "OH-OO" embouchure, tightening a little more on the "OO" as if gripping the small tube or pen more firmly. Another cause of this problem could be that your air stream is being restricted by a closed throat or high tongue position. If this is the case, try emphasizing "OH" as you take your deep breath and exhale to open up your throat and keep your tongue down.
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Are you hearing a thin and pinched sound, like in the example here? This could be the result of your embouchure being formed too tightly, causing your lips to pinch together. To fix this, re-form the "OH-OO" embouchure, but do not tighten as much on the "OO" (picture loosening your grip on the small tube or pen). There may also be an insufficient volume of air passing between the lips. The remedy for this is to practice taking relaxed deep breaths in and blowing out fast air with the same amount of pressure you would use to blow out birthday candles.
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Are you hearing a gargled tone, like in the example here? One cause of this is that your embouchure is not formed tightly enough. This can be fixed by re-forming the "OH-OO" embouchure, tightening a little more on the "OO" as if gripping the small tube or pen more firmly. Your lips may also be folding over your teeth as your play, creating the gargled sound. To check for this, re-form the "OH-OO" embouchure in front of a mirror and observe the position of your lips. |
Are you producing stopped or intense air when you play, like in the example here? If this is the case, your lips may be pinched completely together. To fix this, re-form the "OH-OO" embouchure, but do not tighten as much on the "OO" (picture loosening your grip on the small tube or pen). There may also be an insufficient volume of air passing between the lips. The remedy for this is to practice taking relaxed deep breaths in, emphasizing "OH" to help open up your throat and keep your tongue down, and blowing out fast air with the same amount of pressure you would use to blow out birthday candles.
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Flying Along! ...
Now that you have mastered your tuba embouchure, it is time to move on to your First Notes!