Poor embouchure formation
Below are several examples of poorly formed embouchures and in extreme cases these may cause headaches, sore lips and other symptoms.
In clarinet playing terms they almost all create a stuffy muffled tone or a hollow unfocused sound – neither of which is desirable. If the correct method is followed a sound full of harmonics and clarity will be heard and there will be no fear of injury caused by tension or pressure from the jaw.
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- A collapsed lower lip – too much surface area of lip in contact with reed dampens vibrations
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- No support in upper cheeks and too much lip folded over teeth, bulging lower area of lip
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- Too much mouthpiece wedged into mouth – will cause squeaks and loss of focus in sound. Produces honking sounds !
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- Too much lip over teeth – dampening vibration of reed
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- Too much mouthpiece in the mouth
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- Lip turned out – often Sax players who double look like this
