Building the Embouchure
Step by step instructions:
Forming the bassoon embouchure is not difficult, but it is very different from whatever instrument you currently play. Try these steps to get started.
Step 2: Do you own a hoodie?I know, it's getting weirder, but go with me on this.
Imagine pulling the draw strings of your hoodie. What happens? The hood tightens around a center point and has a crinkly opening, right? We want the same thing for our embouchure. We're going for 360º support on the reed, not just up and down. Make the opening in your lips as round as possible. Caution: Do not bite the reed or apply up and down pressure. The lips provide the support from 360º around the reed. |
Do's and Don'ts
Do:
Make sure your lips are 100% in front of the teeth. Open and slightly lower the jaw. Apply 360º lip support to the reed |
Don't:
Roll the lips between the teeth. Bite down on the reed Apply "North and south" lateral pressure |
Deep breath, fast air. First crow.Place the reed in the embouchure you just formed.
The red part of the lip should almost touch the bark and the first wire. Take a deep breath and blow fast air. Does it rattle? Does it have a bunch of sounds all combined into one? If so, you're doing something right! The video on the right is an example of what you want it to sound like. |
|
Here's what you don't want your crow to sound like.This one is too high because the embouchure is too tight, or pinched.
If yours sounds like this, bring the corners forward and drop the jaw slightly. No Patrick, mayonnaise is not an instrument. |
|
This is another example of what you don't want.This crow is too low and sounds unsupported because the embouchure is too relaxed and the air is not moving fast enough.
If yours sounds like this, firm the embouchure slightly and think of blowing the air farther. Horseradish isn't an instrument either. |
|
Let's try the triple crowThe triple crow is a way to test both the adjustment of your reed as well as the structure of your embouchure. Here's how it works:
1. Form the embouchure and place the reed in it as normal. 2. Blow air slowly at first, and gradually speed up the airstream. |
|
What you're looking for:
The sound should start high pitched when the air is slow.
As the air speeds up the sound should drop down in pitch suddenly, then drop again. The three different sounds based on air speed is why we call it the triple crow.
If this is working for you, your embouchure and reed are both ready to play.
The sound should start high pitched when the air is slow.
As the air speeds up the sound should drop down in pitch suddenly, then drop again. The three different sounds based on air speed is why we call it the triple crow.
If this is working for you, your embouchure and reed are both ready to play.
Let's do an experiment. For Science! Or... for bassooning.
Let's check that your embouchure has the correct amount of support.
While crowing the reed, slide the reed side to side in your mouth. If the reed can slide on the lips and it still makes the same sound as it moves, you are absolutely ready to be a bassoon rock star! Tip: It wasn't until this step that I personally got the hang of the embouchure. |
|
Reed and bocal togetherPut the reed on the bocal.
When you crow the reed and bocal together it should produce a pitch around B or C on top of the bass clef staff. You can use a tuner or a another pitch source to confirm this, or watch the video to the right. |
|
Try the reed slide with the bocalWith the reed on the bocal, try sliding the reed side to side on your lips again. If you can do this with a good tone, you're using the right amount of embouchure support.
|
|
Ready to move on?