Tone or Sound embrochure position with recessed jaw

[saxn00b445]

my jaw is slightly recessed, not too bad but it is not even with my upper lip
i can still get an alright sound but should i be purposefully putting my lower lip foward in order to compensate for this?
i find forcing the lower lip further foward does make the reed feel like its more free, and easier to get altissimo notes. but long term it feels a bit uncomfortable and unnatural so i find myself subconsciously putting my lower lip further back over time

 

[saxn00b445]

for further context i use a yts 23, an otto link super tone master 7 star from the 80s or 90s, and daddario jazz select 3 medium reeds. im trying to get a thick and warm sound without sounding muffled, im a big fan of branford marsalises sound on tenor and soprano

 

[PigSquealer]

my jaw is slightly recessed, not too bad but it is not even with my upper lip
i can still get an alright sound but should i be purposefully putting my lower lip foward in order to compensate for this?
i find forcing the lower lip further foward does make the reed feel like its more free, and easier to get altissimo notes. but long term it feels a bit uncomfortable and unnatural so i find myself subconsciously putting my lower lip further back over time

Welcome to the Café. In the upper right hand corner of page click on”tutorials”. There’s a wealth of information besides this below. Nothing should be uncomfortable.

What is a good saxophone embouchure?

The most critical part of playing the saxophone. We look at various different ways to shape your lips and mouth.

tamingthesaxophone.com

 

[skeller047]

I too have a recessed jaw, and my answer is no, don’t put your jaw forward. If you find that improves your tone, just take in a bit more mouthpiece.

Please also see my post in your Introduction thread (Introduction - hello) for a way to get that warm sound.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Just use your ears and adapt your sound to make it the best you can hear.

Listening to your clip, I hear an underdeveloped embouchure and a lack of air support. Practice is the only cure. It takes quite a while for muscles to develop.

 

[turf3]

Everybody's jaw and mouth is shaped somewhat differently. Your job as a saxophonist, should you choose to accept it, is to adapt those muscles and soft tissues to get the best sound you can.

I always recommend a thorough course of long tones and interval exercises, because in my experience it's darn near impossible to persist in these without sorting out your embouchure, voicing, and airstream. (Of course, it should go without saying, that pain and soft tissue damage are not to be incurred; if you're experiencing these, you're doing something wrong. Ordinary muscle tiredness and soreness from unaccustomed exertion do not count.)

Whenever I find myself needing to play a saxophone (or flute) that I haven't played in a long time, those exercises are my first step at re-familiarizing myself with the specific details of playing the horn - for example, I recently took up a position on lead alto with considerable soprano content, in a rehearsal big band - I had not played any meaningful amount of soprano in years - I've been woodshedding tones and intervals on soprano - just last night, after a couple weeks work, I'm starting to feel like the soprano is coming under control.

 

[lydian]

Like skeller said, just take in more mouthpiece until your bottom is in the right place. But try to focus more on the tone than the mechanics. Do whatever gives you the best tone. Don't worry too much about placement, just the sound it produces.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Like skeller said, just take in more mouthpiece until your bottom is in the right place.

🍑😳