Assess The Embouchure

• 1). Play a third line "B" note.
  
  
• 2). Look at your embouchure in the mirror.
  
  
• 3). Observe the corners of the mouth. Are they tight and drawn back against the teeth? If so, stop playing.
  
  

Correcting A Too-Tight Embouchure

• 1). Hold your index finger vertically across the lips, stretching from nose to chin. Pretend you are saying "shhh."
  
  
• 2). Then blow air past the finger until excess air "puffs up" in your cheeks. This is the feeling you want to have when playing the flute.
  
  
• 3). Finally, play the third line "B" while puffing your cheeks. This will correct the overly tight embouchure and allow for greater flexibility.
  
  
• 4). Use your upper lip muscles to direct your air into the flute instead of the corners of your mouth.