The "Perfect" Embouchure
Presentation Type
Oral/Paper Presentation
Abstract
When describing an embouchure most brass players think only about the feeling of the mouth and face, and not about what muscles to engage. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge in this area can lead to overuse of muscles in the face and serious injury. A musical outcome is that over tightening of muscles in the face and body can lead to a tense, bright sound, instead of a dark, warm sound. My research aims to provide better information about what muscles are needed to function when playing rather than tensing the whole face, allowing for better air flow and control of the instrument, and avoiding injury. My research uses available MRIs and lip cameras to observe the muscles used in order to play a brass instrument, how those muscles interact with each other, and how to engage those muscles properly. I also explore the relationship between an effective embouchure and an effective aperture (the lips affecting the hole the air flows through). Through my close study of these physical elements, I hope to find the (almost) perfect embrouchure so pedagogues can teach young students more effectively or can develop long term healthy playing habits in their young students.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Donna King
Recommended Citation
Lundy, Elizabeth, "The "Perfect" Embouchure" (2025). Student Scholar Symposium. 30.
https://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/student_scholars_symposium/2025/Full_schedule/30
The "Perfect" Embouchure
When describing an embouchure most brass players think only about the feeling of the mouth and face, and not about what muscles to engage. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge in this area can lead to overuse of muscles in the face and serious injury. A musical outcome is that over tightening of muscles in the face and body can lead to a tense, bright sound, instead of a dark, warm sound. My research aims to provide better information about what muscles are needed to function when playing rather than tensing the whole face, allowing for better air flow and control of the instrument, and avoiding injury. My research uses available MRIs and lip cameras to observe the muscles used in order to play a brass instrument, how those muscles interact with each other, and how to engage those muscles properly. I also explore the relationship between an effective embouchure and an effective aperture (the lips affecting the hole the air flows through). Through my close study of these physical elements, I hope to find the (almost) perfect embrouchure so pedagogues can teach young students more effectively or can develop long term healthy playing habits in their young students.