Exercises for Developing an Efficient Embouchure
(and Building High Register)
by D.J. Barraclough, Dallas Brass
The purpose of these exercises is to provide a simple way for brass players of all ages to
develop an efficient embouchure, helping improve high register and endurance.
First Things First: Tone Concept
Before delving into discussion on developing an efficient embouchure, it is essential that
the younger student have a strong concept of an ideal tone quality. The student must be
surrounded by good examples (recordings) on a daily basis, and live concerts whenever
possible.
Main Idea: Playing On The Lead-pipe
The practice of creating a resonant tone without the help of the complete instrument will
increase one’s ability to improve both control and beauty of tone.
For these exercises, one must first prepare the instrument (lead-pipe). For all brass,
except trombones, remove the main tuning slide, so that it is essentially the mouthpiece
and lead-pipe with which you are working. For trombones, remove the outer slide, so you
will be working with one tube of the inner slide.
Establishing the Fundamental Pitch
Buzz effortlessly in the middle register to find the instrument’s fundamental pitch.
Preliminary Embouchure Test
Here’s a little test to illustrate how efficient the student’s buzz is right now:
1. Take off the main tuning slide from the instrument (as discussed above) so that
only the mouthpiece and lead-pipe will resonate when you buzz.
2. Place the mouthpiece loosely in receiver so that is about 1/2 inch from being in
all the way.
3. While holding the instrument in one hand and the mouthpiece in the other, buzz
as softly as possible and begin moving the mouthpiece all the way in and then
slightly out, back and forth, all the while maintaining a very soft buzz
(and Building High Register)
by D.J. Barraclough, Dallas Brass
The purpose of these exercises is to provide a simple way for brass players of all ages to
develop an efficient embouchure, helping improve high register and endurance.
First Things First: Tone Concept
Before delving into discussion on developing an efficient embouchure, it is essential that
the younger student have a strong concept of an ideal tone quality. The student must be
surrounded by good examples (recordings) on a daily basis, and live concerts whenever
possible.
Main Idea: Playing On The Lead-pipe
The practice of creating a resonant tone without the help of the complete instrument will
increase one’s ability to improve both control and beauty of tone.
For these exercises, one must first prepare the instrument (lead-pipe). For all brass,
except trombones, remove the main tuning slide, so that it is essentially the mouthpiece
and lead-pipe with which you are working. For trombones, remove the outer slide, so you
will be working with one tube of the inner slide.
Establishing the Fundamental Pitch
Buzz effortlessly in the middle register to find the instrument’s fundamental pitch.
Preliminary Embouchure Test
Here’s a little test to illustrate how efficient the student’s buzz is right now:
1. Take off the main tuning slide from the instrument (as discussed above) so that
only the mouthpiece and lead-pipe will resonate when you buzz.
2. Place the mouthpiece loosely in receiver so that is about 1/2 inch from being in
all the way.
3. While holding the instrument in one hand and the mouthpiece in the other, buzz
as softly as possible and begin moving the mouthpiece all the way in and then
slightly out, back and forth, all the while maintaining a very soft buzz
