Technique · 2 min read
Clarinet Embouchure: A Step-by-Step Setup
How to form a clarinet embouchure — lip position, how much mouthpiece to take, the flat chin, firm corners and tongue position — plus fixes for common problems.
Updated · Tonehole editors
The embouchure is the way your lips, chin, cheeks and jaw shape themselves around the mouthpiece. A good clarinet embouchure is firm but not tight, supports the reed evenly, and lets the air do the work.
Building it step by step#
- Lower lip: place it over the bottom teeth, enough to cushion the reed — about half the red of the lip.
- Mouthpiece in: take in roughly 1–1.5 cm of mouthpiece, so that the lower lip touches the reed close to where the reed leaves the facing. Too little gives a pinched, small sound; too much causes squeaks.
- Top teeth: rest the upper teeth lightly on top of the mouthpiece (a mouthpiece patch protects both).
- Corners: bring the corners of the mouth slightly in and firm, as if saying "oo" with a gentle smile at the edges. They should seal without pulling back.
- Chin: point the chin down and keep it flat — no bunching.
- Angle: hold the clarinet at roughly 30–40° from the body.
Air and tongue position#
Breathe low, then blow a fast, steady stream. Keep the tongue relatively high and forward — think "ee" or "hee" — which focuses the sound and keeps the upper registers in tune. An "ah" tongue makes the clarion dull and flat.
Common problems#
| Symptom | Likely cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Thin, pinched, sharp sound | Biting, too little mouthpiece | Drop the jaw slightly; take more mouthpiece |
| Squeaks | Too much mouthpiece, uneven pressure, leaky finger | Take a little less mouthpiece; check fingers |
| Airy sound | Corners not sealing, reed too hard | Firm corners; try a softer reed |
| Flat, spread sound | Embouchure too loose, low tongue | Firm the chin, "ee" tongue |
| Sore lower lip | Biting | Use more air and less jaw; take breaks |
Double-lip embouchure#
In a double-lip embouchure, the upper lip also covers the upper teeth. It encourages a relaxed jaw and a warm tone but is more tiring; many teachers use it as an exercise to cure biting.
How much mouthpiece should I put in my mouth?#
Roughly to the point where the reed starts to separate from the mouthpiece facing — usually 1–1.5 cm. Experiment: slide in until the sound becomes uncontrolled, then back off slightly.
Should my cheeks puff out?#
No. Puffed cheeks waste air pressure and make the tone unfocused. Keep the cheeks firm against the teeth.