“Furthermore, one must *get out of one’s own way*, so to speak. People waste a lot of energy on their embouchure and cause themselves more problems than they need to have. All the strength you need for your embouchure is already there; it is the sensitivity and awareness that must be developed.”
-Richard Tabnik (from his lessons with Joe Allard 9/79 to 6/83)
After playing for a while, that lesson really makes sense.
I used to hurt my bottom lip playing too long, probably because it was too tense.
Now my embouchure on saxophone is more relaxed and I find I can play for much longer.
I am 51 years old and have been practicing saxophone since Christmas. It is a lot of fun but I am growing more frustrated over the embouchure issue. Too much squeaking and buzzing! I play a Stephanhouser alto sax and have tried Rico #1.5 and #2 reeds. I suspect that somebody out there makes a better quality mouthpiece, ligature and reed that would make it much easier to play clean notes consistently. Any recommendations?
Hey Alan, glad to hear you’re having fun. Embouchure takes a little time to develop.
If you’ve just been playing a few months, you might not want to change your equipment quite yet. It will help, but you are the main component of how you sound on saxophone.
Try practicing ‘long tones’ and hold notes out with a constant sound- that will help develop your control. And be careful not to hurt yourself by playing, you should just need just enough pressure in your embouchure. Also try playing ballad pieces that have sustained notes and work on the sound. That should help.
My mouthpiece is a Vandoren V16, so maybe check those out down the line.
-Neal
I have been so bwidelered in the past but now it all makes sense!