While initial instruction does not have to take a great amount of time, it is essential that students understand and practice good embouchure formation immediately rather than experimenting with it themselves. With good fundamentals, each student will make small changes based on their own physical characteristics to improve performance. One quick sequence to develop the essential components to a functioning embouchure comprises instructing students to:
- Start with a relaxed, neutral face. Students should neither smile nor frown, but simply let their faces relax into their most natural positions. Students with an extreme overbite or under bite may need to move their jaws so the teeth are more closely aligned, but most students will find success without additional movement.
- Wet the lips. Although there are very good players who play with what is called a dry embouchure, a small amount of moisture is more typical to assist performance.
- Say “dim” (or “M & M,” “bim,”). This results in a slight compression of the lips together and space in the oral cavity. Horn players should use “doom” as it brings the corners of the mouth a further forward into the very slight pout characteristic of horn embouchures.
- Make a slight “mean” face. Students should slightly roll the lips inward and bring the corners slightly down. Keep the lips together and the corners firm. The chin should flatten. Embouchures should demonstrate firmness and good position rather than tension or extreme movement. Obviously, there are some differences in compression and firmness for different instruments–a trumpet embouchure, for example, requires a firmer embouchure than tuba.
Upon completion of these steps, teachers should confirm that students’ lips are slightly moistened and together. Their jaws should be lowered with a relaxed, open oral cavity and their lower teeth more or less aligned with their upper teeth. Their chins should be flat, and their corners should demonstrate a slight compression and frown position.