Your embouchure does not just start at your mouth.  Your embouchure truly begins with your posture, that is, how you stand or sit.

 

When either standing or sitting, your posture must be formed in a way that decreases the tension throughout the body and allows for maximum expansion of your lungs.

 

When standing it is important to consider the following concept.  Your head should be directly over your shoulders, which should be directly over your hip bone which should be directly over your heels.  This should form a straight line. (Figure 1)

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When sitting your objective is to maintain the same upper body carriage as when you stand.  How the head aligns over the shoulders, down the spine and to the hips does not change.  Your legs should be placed in a way that is comfortable to you, where you can maintain a sense of balance, and where you can properly expand your ribcage for a great breath.  For taller students this may mean your feet are slightly tucked in under your chair and your knees are pointed somewhat downward. (Figure 2)

 

Both standing and sitting your spine naturally has two curves that you must not inhibit, but also not exaggerate.  The top curve, called the thoracic spine slightly curves outward, and the lower curve, called the lumbar spine, should curve slightly inward.

 

Your shoulders should remain relaxed and down free of tension.

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To test your balance and feel the tension but doing the following exercise:

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Balance Exercise

• While standing comfortably with your feet shoulder width apart, slightly lean forward until you feel your back muscles engage.  This is tension that we want to be free of as this will not allow your ribcage to expand as much as they can and you will have to work to pull more air into your body.

• Move back to a straight and comfortable position and feel your body’s muscles relax.

• Then, while standing comfortably and balanced, slightly lean backward and feel your abdominal muscles engage.  This is also tension that we want to be free of  as this will also not allow your abdomen to move where it needs to in order to allow for full expansion of your lungs.

• When Sitting you should try and maintain the same sensation of balance as while you are standing.  You will notice that your head, shoulders and hips are still in line, but now you are balancing on your sit bones, called your ischial tuberosity. You can perform the same exercise as while you are standing, and you will feel the same muscles (back muscles when you lean forward, and abdominal muscles when you lean backward) engage.  The key is to be rid of all tension and maintain a comfortable balance for your body.

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Check out the video to see this in action.

 

 

Your instrument, whatever it is, will then come to you one of these positions and not the other way around.  You should NEVER move your body to the instrument. This will allow for the free flowing of air and the mitigation of muscle tension. 

 

Remember “Tension Kills Tone…” and tone is the most important musical concept to master.