Beginning Band Embouchure “Boot” Camp
We all know there are many ways to start beginning band students. All of the schools that I have taught at have been different. Some utilize instrument testing as 4th graders in April prior to their 5th grade year, while others test the 5th graders on the first few days of school. And some don’t start until 6th grade. Whatever your district has chosen, here’s how to make the best out of your first few days.
Lesson 1 - Focus On Set-Up
If you are able, the first week should be in instrument specific groupings. All flutes together, clarinets together, saxophones together, etc. Meet with the students in sectionals first. The first meeting should be focused on instrument set up. How do you open the case? How do you assemble the instrument. What is the proper way to put on a reed? How do you take the instrument apart? How does it fit back in its case? As you are teaching these skills, check students reeds. Do they have the right strength reed? Do you require a certain brand of reed? Talk about maintenance as you are going. Talk about the importance of slide maintenance for trombone players, and not pulling out all of your valves at once as trumpet players. No sounds need to be made this first day.
Lesson 2 - The First Sounds
The next lesson(s) should focus on first sounds. Only headjoints, mouthpieces and reeds should be used.
Woodwind Embouchure Drills
Flute - A on stopped or open headjoint only
Oboe - Reed crow should sound C
Bb Clarinet - C on mouthpiece and reed only
Alto Sax - A on mouthpiece only
The following embouchure drills should be taught “I Play, You Play”. Check pitches with a piano during these exercises. Your students do not need to see this music.
Flute (note A) -
Clarinet and Oboe (reed only) (note C) and Saxophone (note A) -
Extra Oboe Reed Practice -
Say “EEEEEEEEE”
Form your embouchure around your reed and begin blowing. Next, while blowing position your embouchure to say “EEEEE.” The pitch of the reed should go up.
Say “OOOOOOOOOOH”
Form your embouchure around your reed and begin blowing. Next, while blowing position your embouchure to say “OOOOH.” The pitch of the reed should go down.
Say “EEEEE---OOOOOOH”
Alternate between “EEEE” and “OOOOH” sounds. It might sound like a sliding kazoo. Discover the highest and lowest notes that you can play. Can you play a short song such as “Three Blind Mice,” “Row Row, Row, Your Boat,” or even “Yankee Doodle”?
Practicing this sort of flexibility will be important for playing the oboe. Low notes need more of an “OOOO” embouchure, and higher notes need more of an “EEEE” embouchure.
Brass Embouchure Drills
Buzzing drills on mouthpieces - Start with sirens - High sounds, low sounds - No need to check pitch on siren drills. Work to get those two types of sounds. Can your students hear the difference between high and low buzzing?
Trumpet - Buzz a “C” - Check pitch on piano frequently
Once students are comfortable with matching pitch, you can incorporate pitch AND sirens together with a drill like this;
Trombone & Euphonium - Buzz an “F” - Check pitch on piano frequently
Once students are comfortable with matching pitch, you can incorporate pitch and sirens.
Tuba - Buzz an “F” - Check pitch on piano frequently
Once students are comfortable matching pitch, and sirens.
Don’t move on to the first notes, until solid habits have been formed with mouthpieces/reeds. As you add the first few notes, incorporate these drills into your lessons. Always start with a good foundation. The notes and music will get there. Don’t be in a rush to add the method book.
By Stephanie Williamson
Comments