Saxophone Embouchure | Classical vs Jazz 

You’re the only guy out there that that literally makes me laugh out loud every time. That includes comedians

Merci doc ❤ Enfin quelqu’un de professionnel,jamais aucun professeur ne m’a expliqué comment bien ajuster le bec en bouche . Remarquable vidéo !

You're a blessing to the saxophone community! Some of the most educational and fun sax content out there!

"Some kids just have ... strange-looking faces" bwahahahaha, I ded.

I’m very disappointed that your teacher, Nigel St Clair, didn’t teach you to use flavoreeds

You really should have made this sooner! Embouchure is pretty much the equivalent of pedals to a guitarist! They can alter the sound so drastically which is why the saxophone is such a good instrument. Like, I sometimes make up my own embouchures (for jazz) that end up kinda mixing two extremes. For example, I play more of a classical embouchure for jazz baritone saxophone, but I play with a really bright mouthpiece with a high tip opening. This combination allows me to have a full sound across the whole register. I discovered this because I realized that, as a baritone player, so many had very punchy low notes but not so powerful high notes. Then one day, I discovered Leo P, who seemed to have power high and low; what made him so different, I asked? Well, from transcribing and studying his technique/embouchure, I found he plays with an embouchure similar to a clarinet, combined with a fairly bright and modern Theo Wanne mouthpiece. But anyways, thanks so much for making this. Embouchure is so frickin underrated to sound people NEED to talk about more!

First class sax content as always Dr W. Glad to see that your subscriber numbers are climbing - as they certainly should!

Nigel seems like a very trustworthy gent, if I do say so myself

Fantastic video! I say this as someone who plays classical from the Allard branch. I loved the description of the Teal vs. Allard students because it reminded me of the quote about academic politics: "the fights are so bitter because the stakes are so low." There are so many great players with so many different approaches. If one model doesn't work for you, there are plenty of others to choose from.

I'm picking up the soprano sax after about 10 years of previously playing the clarinet.

Dude....you are a great teacher, straight forward, no bull. I appreciate you.

Thank you so much, sir! I did your steps and I got it! I’m lead alto in my jazz band, and love jazz- so learning the jazz embouchure was a must for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

That's absolutely right ! Everyone has a different mouth structure. I think one of the hardest parts of teaching THE embouchure, is that you must teach it differently each time. Good video !

Thanks Wally. You crack me up AND really impress me with your knowledge, delivery, skills as a teacher and player. 👍🏼

I've been following the course and boy, it has helped me a lot, thanks Dr. Wally for such and incredible source for Saxophone fundamentals!

Fantastic teaching Dr. Wally. Loved the story about the fight between the two sax players that "ended with an asthma attack."

exceptional combination Dr! Not only do we learn but you make it soooo entertaining that I play the repeat button...and I learn even more!

We are so lucky that we have this useful video today. This video connects the dynamics of various parts .

Brilliant, no frills, totally to the point info as always! Love it. Love it even more because it affirms what I've taught my students for the last 24 years. ;)

Greatest teacher on youtube Wally. Keep up the good work. You are so thorough, easy to understand and entertaining.

i started playing sax (Selmer Bundy II) when i was 10, through to 17 years old. Then I entered the work force and put the sax down until a few weeks ago. One thing I could never understand was how to get that saxy sound. Almost 30 years later, I got myself a Yanagisawa AWO10 to get back into it and purchased Judy Jazz Custom Dark and a Vandoren V16 (after much much research). I found this video and another guy. I've finally figured it out! Thanks Dr Wally! Your videos are exactly what I needed to find my happy...

Dude, seriously! You have THE BEST teaching style! Clear, concise, and entertaining.

I didn't expect to laugh out loud watching a vid on sax embouchure... And well structured and helpful as usual. Thanks Wally.

Very succinctly explained! I’ll be making sure all current and new students watch this space! 🙏🙏🙏

You are the best-in-class instructor. Thanks for all the work that you’re doing. If you’re opening a patreon account any time soon with even more of these lessons available for patrons, please take my money! Seriously, you’re amazing!

Excellent video Dr.! Very informative as always, wrapped with the correct dosage of humor!

Why he doesn't have more subs is beyond me - very informative and highly entertaining...best sax channel on RU-vid.

This video helped a lot of music educators out there. Lol. Also, I love this because I came to the sax as a brass player originally. My primary instruments were trombone and euphonium. I picked up a sax almost as a dare in high school so I could play in rock and ska horn sections. I had always loved jazz and loved the sax, but coming at it as a brass player was like learning a foreign language. I had a good grounding in music theory and jazz harmony as a trombonist, but still…different animal to tame. I eventually was a music ed major for two years in college at the University of Oklahoma, changed my mind and changed majors, quit playing trombone, blah blah blah. I’ve recently come back to playing the sax because I enjoyed it so much. And when I did, I wanted to come at it with a classical grounding and with way better technique and tone quality than I had back in the olden days. And of course, a lot of the same principles apply to both good brass sound and good woodwind sound. So, your channel is just fantastic. You’re like the internet’s personal sax professor. Lol.

this might be the most underrated youtube channel. ever. you deserve millions of subscribers

Hillarious as always. I'm so glad, that i came over your channel. Since i have chosen softer reeds my Embouchure gets much better and i can concentrate a bit more on my hand and body position. I even started with the January Etude but this might take me a few more weeks. But it's so much fun to experinece the constant progress. As it's a lot stuff to take care of, i fully agree with you, that a teacher is necessary. I will take some lessons once the lockdown is over here in Germany. But unitl then i know that i'm in good hands with your course. Thanks again for all the effort.

your the only person who actually makes the topic embouchure that can get technical and boring, interesting and simple. 👍

One thing I find that helps with voicing and the "How" of tongue position is mouthpiece buzzing starting on an A for Alto saxophones and G for Tenors. I feel if students are able to recreate those pitches and bend them downward , they'll have an easier time voicing the notes of the saxophone. Most beginners I have start on the neck for the same reasons listed above. As always, great information and I appreciate all the work you do.

I am, I am thoroughly impressed with this video! My friend had a question, but after I heard it, I told him to go wait in the car. Thanks again Dr. Wallace!

Hey im here 3 weeks after u uploaded. Classical sax is now cool. Cheers.

You have an incredible didatic! I'm Brazilian, English is not even my native language and yet, very fun and excelent class. Please continue this amazing work. 😀

Once again a very entertaining video as well as enlightening. You're the kind of teacher that makes learning fun which in turn make learning easier. But, full disclosure, I was taught the Joe Allard method.

Great playing Dr. what a great video to watch after work!!!!!

This is one of the best embochure explanations I've heard. I learned Larry Teal's technique and I think is preferable but I've been looking into Joe Allard's technique and now I'm in the middle of spaghetti noodles... Confused. Thank you for clarifying. This was awesome.

You really are SO good. Such helpful advice and wisdom. I really learned a lot. Thank you so much.

I predict I am going to be thoroughly impressed by this video............

Great content as usual! I'm so glad that you're making these video lessons!

Okay, although I wouldn't teach everything the same way, but this one of the best sources I came across about this topic. Clearly you know what you are talking about and have teached it a lot. Also extremely well done video...

Hey Dr you explanation is awesome

There are no qualified teachers for saxophones in my country. It may come as a surprise to alot but I am the only woman saxophonist I know. Anyways it has been good playing and I an happy with the result of my progress and that's thanks to all the saxophonist that take their time to teach people like us. Thank you again. 😍🎶🎷

Can’t wait for next week! Psyched for it!

I hit the subscribe button after watching this video on embouchure. Informative and entertaining. Thank you.

greatest Embouchuredistintion and overall explanation .Superhelpfull .Thanks from Denmark

Love the instruction. Although I wondered why you answered the way you did Dr. regarding double lip embouchure. I heard Coltrane used it due to teeth problems. I've had to use it when dentures weren't ready. Works great with a little bit of practice. Normally I use Teal embouchure so that foundation made the switch simple. Now with dentures or without, I can toggle and as you say "go practice". Please comment if you see this.

I have an Invisalign/ Clear Correct retainer for straightening my bottom teeth, it also happens to make playing much more comfortable. I just have to commit to always wearing it when I play so as not to have too many variables in my embochure.

Thanks for the tutorial! I've got to remember--focus on the shape of my tongue, keep my throat relaxed, and let it change its shape in natural response to my tongue (vowel voicing) and ear.

Awesome vid! Informative and funny! When I started playing again after 20 years, I was shocked at the amount of mistakes my saxophone teacher nor my sax playing band director never mentioned! For shame... I did learn the primacy of selmers saxes which I had to unlearn as well.

Beautiful Classic Alto Tone. This is how the Alto Sax should sound like.

One of those videos I'd watch until the end. I literally am afraid of missing a micro-information 👍

Great stuff! Love the videos! One thing I was curious about was the syllable section. You (and Nigel) have much more experience than I, however I've found that using an "ee" syllable in my mouth in a classical setting can be beneficial due to the fact that a faster airstream can focus your sound. One thing that helps me remember is the french syllable "eur" (as in monsieur); This is formed by saying "ee" and then closing your lips into an "o" shape. In this way, your airstream is focused, but your lips still form a nice seal around the mouthpiece and the corners do not spread out. What are your thoughts on this?

Great content as always! Also, just love Dr Wally's 'dry martini' sound. Btw, what's the name of the classical piece played at the beginning?

Hilarious and fun teacher. In September I’ll be more flexible and will subscribe to your school Dr. I can’t wait.

I wish I saw this video when I first started playing sax! Top content as always, Dr Wally! P.S. I hope Nigel makes a comeback in the future ;)

This is a great fun channel and it is so funny! Your classical tone or classical embouchure is beautiful without choking the reed. Really love the sound. Your jazz sound/embouchure example is still sounds very classical to me. (Maybe it was the articulation or inflection execution.) There are of course variations in jazz tone...from Jackie Mclean to Lee Konitz or Paul Desmond there are many individual tone colors to explore. Teal/Allard it doesn't really matter...at the end of the day let's make some music. Are there any modern saxophonists you can share from both classical and jazz from both Teal/Allard camps?

Thank you for that, I didn't know there was a difference. But it makes sense.

How does Sir Nigel avoid eating hair while playing saxophone?????? How how how??? Another awesome video, Dr. Wallace!! 🤣🤣🤣 No shortage of laughter involved. If only pedagogy was this fun.

this one helped me quite a lot Dr Wally ...apparently my main issue was my top teeth were not stable-ing the embouchure enough ..once I set them lightly (but firmly) on the mouthpiece pad (as you advised).. it was like YOWZER !!!... almost instant control.. of both Bbs and the F above (T) yes.. apparently I was over-reacting to my tendency to bite up high (A) I guess I was actually using a double lip (as Ive been working on a very relaxed lip out embouchure for sub tones).. well now I seem to have found the "happy medium" .. so yeah.. not so much lip out ...as simply relaxed...and stable.. and more focused... thanks again

Thank gosh I subbed to this guy cuz he makes very good content.

Great info! Thanks so much Doctor.

I love the kuru toga pencils

Good Coffee Monday to you Dr. Wally, This was a very informative video in many ways. Great for teachers who don't play sax and have to explain the embouchure setup to students. As for myself, I 've been playing for decades and your are the first person to really explain how to form a decent embouchure with some clarity. I am still struggling to acquire a good embouchure where my bottom lip does not get tired after an hour or so of playing? Thanks for the tip and I will pass it on.

Great video Dr Wallace I hope all is well.

Just wanted to clarify: I was originally taught by a classical teacher and the emphasis was always on the bottom lip covering the teeth. I suffered a lot with this as I had the common issue with screeching notes and a painful jaw, as I squeezed too tight to get notes out. I went on to take lessons from a jazz player and he reformed my embouchure to push my bottom lip out. He also corrected my mouthpiece tip opening and Reed strength. I’ve never looked back since then. Just to say that was my biggest takeaway as to the differences between classical and jazz. I’m not saying one is right or wrong, but it’s worth exploring what works best. Regards

I loved this video! I'm a student of Steve Mauk who studied with Teal, and I subscribe to the same embouchure formation for classical saxophone performance. I'm curious to know your thoughts on pushing the bottom lip OUT and using only the bottom lip to control the reed for jazz playing, rather than the lower jaw and teeth. I've found this technique to be both maddeningly difficult to control while still giving way to a pleasing jazz sound on mouthpieces like the Meyer or Brilhart.

Thanks Dr. Wally!

Awesome help and content. Got any good videos on classical rep?

And I love Nigel Sinclair!!! What a great mentor 😂😂😂

Wow another superb informative video ..Paul Desmond had a round , warm and dark tone , was he using a classical embouchure ?

That dig at game of thrones s8 is Gold 😂

The timing of this video could not be better

Wow! Great thumbnail 😆 And another great video! 😁

Superb advice on embouchure. Brilliant presentation and so interesting. At the age of 64 I am learning so much from these great videos. One question: I notice on my mouthpiece my toothmarks seem to move over about a quarter of an inch - does this imply that the mouthpiece position in my mouth is changing too much or is it normal to see that? I think I tend to take less mouthpiece when playing softly but I know that one of your mantras is consistency of embouchure...

@Saxophone Academy, Dr. Wally, I love your videos. So entertaining and informative. You mention guys getting into a fistfight, ie: Joe Allard says X, and Larry Teal says Y. I studied at NYU, 1967 through 1971 with both Joe Allard and Jimmy Abato. They each knew I was simultaneously studying with the other and it worked quite well 1 - because I was the one who told each of them I was also studying with the other because I wanted different perspectives. And 2- I NEVER told either one what the other said. I just worked hard to buy into what each of them had to offer. Well, I graduated with honors and they each recommended me on various occasions such as when the NYU orchestra needed an alto player for "Pictures at an Exhibition". Upon graduation, they co-signed a card of congratulations and added that I had the most perfect embouchure they had ever seen or heard.....for piano.

I love your videos, Dr. Wally. Even at 53 I'm still learning. I thought the question about double-lip embouchure deserved an answer. Can it be legitimate? If not, why is it sub-optimal? I've used different materials as a lower teeth guard, but I don't anymore as my playing has improved. If your lip hurts, you're biting. If your mouth hurts, you're not practicing enough.

We used to fold cigarette paper and put over our bottom teeth, or coffee filters 😂 The people in the store was looking quite questioning when five 13-year olds came to buy cigarette paper though 🤔

hi!! its a wonderful lesson here !! I have subscribed!!!

Great video! Is that an alto or tenor saxophone?

As always great fun and very informative! Also thanks for the pooping comment, I thought it was disrespectful me that had that kind of thoughts. There's also a practice going around with classical players where it looks the saxophone is some kind of spoon used for stirring in a large kettle with soup or something. Anyways, what mouthpiece do you use for your classical playing? Is there something like an "American school" (Joe Allard/ Larry Teal) vs a "European/French school" and what would they be? I once bought a Selmer S80 mouthpiece that had LT stamped on it, supposedly modified to Mr. Teals concept. I found it had a lot of restance compared to the standard S80 I was using. Never found out if that is how it was intended, but it was not very stimulating. I recently bought a Selmer Concept though that blows almost as free as my jazz piece and made classical playing fun again ;-)

Poderia fazer essa mudança de estilo com a mesma boquilhas.

Dear Nigel, excellent work and hopefully you have time to help Dr Wally with more videos in furete! And remember, when the letters of flame descend upon you, it could always be worse. You could be listening to me play alto! (Banned under the Geneva Convention, you know.) Mentioning which *[raises hand]* Dr Wally, couple of questions (and much overthinking). Does the position of one's chin, broadly speaking, play any major roll in saxophone embouchure (i.e. should it remain in a natural position, be pushed out a bit, pulled in a bit)? Also, while on an overthinking roll, am I supposed to be placing a small amount of pressure on the reed with my jaw as I play, or should the jaw be closed enough to get the bottom lip close to the reed and any pressure is entirely muscle-based from the lips sealing around the mouthpiece? (For context, I've always been told that my sax embouchure needs to be much more relaxed than my clarinet embouchure... only problem is I'm forever unsure how relaxed save for having a more cushiony bottom-lip.)

Do you have a video with how to install your Reed and ligature on your mouthpiece?

Well done you

All the saxophone teachers I had used cigarette rolling paper to protect their lower teeth. Just fold it 2 or 3 times and place it on top of the teeth. Works really well.

Awesome video

Hi before diving to jazz or any other styles of music ,is it a better idea to play classical saxophone tunes with a classical style embochure?I am thinking of that way for some instict feelings:)what do you think ?thank you

When I started out, I played with my top lip under my teeth. Did that for about a year and a half til I started private lessons and my teacher fixed it. It feels weird to do it now, but I still feel like I could get used to playing that way. I know they say Coltrane did it, so once I get as good as Coltrane, it's bye bye teeth on the mouthpiece.

Oh Nigel. ☺

Qual exercício vc indicaria pra ficar com o som de Jazz, as sílabas vc ja disse, mostre por favor em exercícios!!! Obrigado.

Great stuff! Time to check my embouchure. Any reason NIgel is wearing the same glasses as you?

Wow Larry Teal! I still have some exercise books of his. Does anyone remember having a Larry Teal ligature? Two screw type with little black knobs on the screws?

Hello Dr. Wally Wallace, ive had problems with my buck teeth, i dont know what to do if my teeth are big its hard not to have at least some pressure on the mouthpiece, can you help me?

Don’t worry Doc. Classical Sax was always cool to me, so you are indeed cool

The man!!

I like this guy

That's a very ornate ligature on the index card shot. Please can you say what it is, Dr Wally? Looking forward to more Nigel St Clair cameos too!

I was a bit disappointed that you didn't address the difference in tightness of each embouchure or the "mouthpiece pitch" produced when playing the different styles. What are your thoughts on this topic.