Before you Play!

• Every Day

  • Check your Posture!​

    • Sit on the edge of your chair​

    • Put your feet flat on the ground

    • Keep your back comfortably straight

  • Check your Embouchure/Stick Grip​

    • Flutes​​

      • Hold the closed end of the head joint with your left hand and cover the open end with your right palm.

      • Rest the lip plate on your bottom lip. Center the tone hole on the center of your lips.

      • Roll the head joint towards you so that 1/4 of the tone hole is covered by your bottom lip.

      • Keep your upper and bottom teeth slightly apart.

      • Draw the corners pf your lips straight back and relax your lower lip.

      • Say the word "pure" to set the embouchure and blow air partly in and partly across the tone hole.

    • Clarinets/Saxophones

      • Moisten your lips and roll your bottom lip over your bottom teeth.​

      • Firm the corners of your mouth.

      • Stretch your chin downward.

      • Place the mouthpiece on your lower lip so the reed goes in your mouth 2/3 of an inch. Place your top teeth on the mouthpiece.

      • Close your mouth around the mouthpiece.  Keep the corners of your mouth firm and your chin pointing downward.

    • High Brass/Low Brass

      • Moisten your lips.​

      • Bring your lips together like you are saying the letter "m".

      • Relax your jaw to separate your top and lower teeth.

      • Flatten your bottom lip against your bottom teeth and firm the corners of your mouth.

      • Direct airstream into the center of the mouthpiece.

    • Sticks

      • Place the sticks in front of you with the tips of the sticks pointing forward.​

      • Extend your right hand like you are about to shake a hand.

      • The curve of your fingers top knuckle and the thumb hold the stick in place, creating a pivot point.

      • Curl your other fingers around the stick, check to make sure the stick is cradled in the palm of your hand.

      • Repeat the same process with your other hand.