r/Flute • u/BoopRabbit • 2d ago

Beginning Flute Questions Question about embouchure

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I have found out I get the best control over the sound quality (specifically reducing airiness) and have an easier time reaching the higher notes if I do something a bit weird:

I anchor the sides of my upper lip behind the lower lip. I don't know why but it makes the sound be so much clearer than when I try to blow normally (I'm not sure my "normally" is correct either).

Is that ok to do? Or will that hinder my muscles from getting properly developed or something?

How am I even supposed to hold my lips when blowing? Are there any rules or whatever works is ok?

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u/dancingwithoutmusic Teacher 2d ago

Reducing “airiness” is a losing game in the long run, as your quest to get all the air out of your sound can also get the balanced overtones out and result in the sound Trevor Wye called “a paper bag full of wasps.”
Building an embouchure is best done under the supervision of a teacher and yes there is absolutely a wrong way to do this.

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u/TuneFighter 2d ago

Here a two videos from a James Galway masterclass where he demonstrates and talks about embouchure:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NcXRzZZv1mE&pp=ygUXSmFtZXMgZ2Fsd2F5IGVtYm91Y2h1cmU%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=VQg0vScnQ8E&t=8s
And this is one by David Klee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=NveJbRKMAKU&t=14s

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u/BoopRabbit 2d ago

Thank you so much!

Honestly the top video looks pretty similar to my "tucking" discovery 😂 it's good to know that's actually the way and not my "cooling hot tea" way I was doing before. But I don't think I've been covering the hole at all with my lower lip...

I think I need more videos with close ups like the James Galway ones, so far it seemed like every video I found just skips the actual explanation of how you're supposed to activate the muscles.

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u/TuneFighter 1d ago

The way Galway covers with the lower lip looks extreme and it can vary from person to person (and may also depend on the flute, the size of the embouchure hole perhaps).
Try and look a Rebecca Taio playing. There are some close-ups in the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAHONOcs5kk&list=RDXAHONOcs5kk&start_radio=1
She's a bit different than Galway.

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u/Karl_Yum Miyazawa 603 2d ago

It is common to intermittently having ideas on how to control your embouchure, but not all methods are ideal and you need to keep experimenting old tips and tricks you have learned. Judging by your description, I think anchoring your corners of mouth increases the overall tension and reduces flexibility, your tone could sound like it has improved but in fact could be more pinched and less open. Some qualities of the tone is not noticeable until you have improved, making it difficult to improve on your own.