A student of mine is developing a very off center embouchure. I know that many excellent players play off center so I am uncertain what, if anything, to do about it. If off center is the way she needs to play, then so be it, but I have never heard anyone describe off center playing as an asset! The time to engineer changes is now. Her lips do not have an obvious "teardrop" until she begins to play.
I am returning to teaching after many years absence and have never had such a problem with a student. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
student embouchure very off center
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
There's nothing wrong with an off center embouchure. I'd recommend encouraging your student to experiment in case there are better ways to form her embouchure, with the caveat that tone rules. If an off center embouchure results in a better tone, you don't want to "engineer changes" in a negative direction, just let your student play naturally (as long as it's not dangerous or inhibiting). You'll both be happier that way.If off center is the way she needs to play, then so be it, but I have never heard anyone describe off center playing as an asset!
I let the off center embouchure go for 4 months but she is having trouble with the octave 2 above middle C and just isn't improving. At the moment I have her playing around some with just the mouth piece, experimenting, changing pitch, etc. Her embouchure seems inflexible. I was thinking of trying to work with her on Sir James Galway's corners down embouchure, but I need to learn more about it myself.
Perhaps doing some tone studies in the lower octave along with playing on the mouthpiece?
Perhaps doing some tone studies in the lower octave along with playing on the mouthpiece?