Chromatic embouchure/breathing
Tue, 10/10/2017 - 09:07
Hi David!
I'm working on study 1 for chromatic, which I had never played before, and I think I need some clarifications.
1) I'm not sure about the "degree" of embouchure I should use. Let me try to explain: should the lips enclose the facing plate and not much more, i.ie. lay on the front of the cover plates, right passed the face plate, or should they entail more and lay further away on the cover plates, similar to the diatonic embouchure, although much wider.
2) I find myself running out of breath (or rather lungs full) much quicker on the chromatic and have the impression I'm working harder to breathe through, is that usual or mainly the result of a defective technique. In that case, what should I rectify or watch for?
Thank you.
Stef
Hello Stef. Answers below....
1) Have your upper lip well onto to the upper cover plate and the lower lip barely touch the bottom cover plate. And yes, a larger embouchure is general.
2) Your technique is fine, the chromatic is a more leaky instrument... it does take more air. As time goes on, you'll leak less air out of your nose and your technique will be more efficient, thus using less air to achieve the end result. So, with time, it will get better, but it still is a more leaky instrument.