Lip aperture shape and location

dave2flute · Post by **dave2flute** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:26 am

Hi, I'm new to the flute but an experienced alto sax player. I have a question regarding the flute embouchure, specifically the lip aperture shape and location.

I've noticed when I try and form the aperture exactly in the center of my lips, it's not clearly defined. I've got that thing where a bit of my upper lip in the center hangs down, leaving two spaces on either side, rather than one hole in the center.

It's much easier for me to create a more defined shape for the aperture that I can control easier and shape better if I kind of create it off center, more towards the left side of my mouth. It seems to allow me to control the airstream with more precision, and ultimately get a better sound.

Is there a downside to forming the aperture on the side or slightly off center? Is this something that's fairly common. or is it something that's simply not acceptable? Thanks!

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:14 pm

Hi, I've seen your post at SaxOnTheWeb, and the answer is no, there is no downside on that. You must find what's your best embouchure configuration. That's easy because is just a matter of finding the best sound. If you can improve it, so you're in the right path.

You would be amazed to discover one of the greatests flutists ever, Mr.Jean Pierre Rampal, had a completely sideways embouchure, and what a sound!

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:25 pm

You must be careful though. I think it is important that when you form your embouchure you must have it somewhat balanced. (Not too far one way or not too far to the other). My embouchure is in the center but my lips are not. The bottom one is pulled slightly to the left and the top one is slightly to the right. I wanted to fix this one day (because I thought it was a problem) and spent an hour looking at it in the mirror.

I examined my mouth, the way it is shaped on the inside and outside... my tongue, teeth, inside cheeks and lips. It turns out that my lips vary in thickness slightly. And I mean this from top to bottom of the lip (height) and front to back (thickness from inside to outside). They are opposite on the different halves of the individual lip (top left side vs. top right side). In a nutshell, by pulling them in slightly opposite directions I was evening out that "flaw" in my anatomy. Pulling slightly gave an evenness of height and thickness. And even though I "pull" slightly, my embouchure stays flexible but with (in the words of Galway) "Controlled Tension." I wouldn't have noticed any of this if I didn't really look.

So take some time and watch yourself in the mirror. It's fascinating.

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:33 pm

You must be careful though....
...So take some time and watch yourself in the mirror. It's fascinating.

You're absolutely right. Besides it's well known that our human bodies are not simetrical. Some less some more, but everybody have some differences.
Mine is centered (or so I see it...) but I know people who had it sideways and could not tell why. They just began that way and never changed...

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 3:42 pm

Ah the tear drop lip problem...

I have a mild tear drop, but it's very possible to work around it. If you incorrectly form your embouchure with a bit of a pucker (like a kiss), the tear drop will tend to interfere with the air stream. On the other hand, if you pull the corners of your mouth back, it will stretch the upper lip a bit thinner and that will help to prevent it from getting in the way of the air stream.

stewyflute13 · Post by **stewyflute13** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:34 pm

whichever way your lips are focused, make sure the air-stream itself is concentrated you can check this actually by looking at the residue on the other side of the embouchure plate to see if it focused or if it is splattered all over the place (like mine until my teacher fixed it recently) make the air channel through like a funnel into a very precise core of the target sound

also, some visuals that help are actually pretending like you're saying the word flute while you're playing. really emphasize the "u" in flute and make a very rounded sound actually the french language does this very well, and many words can be used to imitate or "teach" the correct flute embouchure, such as the word "nocturne." listen to a french person say "nocturne" and the "ur" in the word really highlights/ accentuates the relaxed, natural embouchure that produces the best flute sound

stewyflute13 · Post by **stewyflute13** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:35 pm

whichever way your lips are focused, make sure the air-stream itself is concentrated you can check this actually by looking at the residue on the other side of the embouchure plate to see if it focused or if it is splattered all over the place (like mine until my teacher fixed it recently) make the air channel through like a funnel into a very precise core of the target sound

also, some visuals that help are actually pretending like you're saying the word flute while you're playing. really emphasize the "u" in flute and make a very rounded sound actually the french language does this very well, and many words can be used to imitate or "teach" the correct flute embouchure, such as the word "nocturne." listen to a french person say "nocturne" and the "ur" in the word really highlights/ accentuates the relaxed, natural embouchure that produces the best flute sound