Instrument Basics
BAND FACE
Making a great sound depends on having a great embouchure (we sometimes call this a "band face"). You should practice looking your mirror and playing just on your brass mouthpiece, flute headjoint, clarinet mouthpiece and barrel or saxophone mouthpiece and neck. On almost every instrument you want to have a firm chin and lower lip. Bring the corners of your lips in a little bit. Clarinets and saxophones - your lower lip should slightly cover your lower teeth and your top teeth should be in contact with the mouthpiece. Brasses - your lips should be wet and should be together like you are saying "mmmm." Breathe in through the corners of your lips, put your tongue behind your teeth (clarinets and saxophones - tongue on the tip of the reed). Feel the air behind your tongue. Now let your tongue release and keep your band face firm. You should get a great sound!! Look below for pictures of some great BAND FACES!
Making a great sound depends on having a great embouchure (we sometimes call this a "band face"). You should practice looking your mirror and playing just on your brass mouthpiece, flute headjoint, clarinet mouthpiece and barrel or saxophone mouthpiece and neck. On almost every instrument you want to have a firm chin and lower lip. Bring the corners of your lips in a little bit. Clarinets and saxophones - your lower lip should slightly cover your lower teeth and your top teeth should be in contact with the mouthpiece. Brasses - your lips should be wet and should be together like you are saying "mmmm." Breathe in through the corners of your lips, put your tongue behind your teeth (clarinets and saxophones - tongue on the tip of the reed). Feel the air behind your tongue. Now let your tongue release and keep your band face firm. You should get a great sound!! Look below for pictures of some great BAND FACES!
ASSEMBLY AND CARE
Here are some links to very good videos that will help you with assembling your instrument and oiling your brass instrument valves. Even though they may do things a little differently than we have learned in band, you can learn a lot by watching them.
Flute Assembly & Disassembly Clarinet Assembly & Disassembly Saxophone Assembly & Disassembly
Oiling Your Trumpet or Baritone Oiling Your French Horn (just do the first way) Lubricating your Trombone Slide
Percussion Setup, Playing Position Grip & Stroke for Mallet Instruments (Videos 2 & 3)
Here are some links to very good videos that will help you with assembling your instrument and oiling your brass instrument valves. Even though they may do things a little differently than we have learned in band, you can learn a lot by watching them.
Flute Assembly & Disassembly Clarinet Assembly & Disassembly Saxophone Assembly & Disassembly
Oiling Your Trumpet or Baritone Oiling Your French Horn (just do the first way) Lubricating your Trombone Slide
Percussion Setup, Playing Position Grip & Stroke for Mallet Instruments (Videos 2 & 3)
INSTRUMENT INFO SHEETS
These "Basics" sheets show the parts of each instrument, how to put it together safely and where your fingers or hands should be placed. Click on one of the basics sheets to see a full size version.
These "Basics" sheets show the parts of each instrument, how to put it together safely and where your fingers or hands should be placed. Click on one of the basics sheets to see a full size version.