The embouchure is created by first gently placing the underside of the tongue tip section (all the way across, and about 3mm in from actual tip) onto the cutting edges of the bottom teeth. Then pull the bottom lip up and slightly over the bottom teeth to allow the whole of the tip end of the tongue (all the way across) to rest onto the bottom lip, still keeping the underside portion of the tip lightly touching the bottom teeth. Then curl the remaining part of the tongue upward towards the roof of the mouth and into the back of the top teeth. You need to close the lips around the tongue into a pucker but the lips do not touch each other, they leave a gap for the curled tongue to protrude slightly and so allowing the underside of the top lip to make contact with it. It is only the top lip that vibrates against the tongue when producing a sound. The tip section of the tongue never leaves contact with the bottom teeth (cutting edge only - not behind bottom teeth) and the bottom lip. Start by trying to buzz a sound (Callet calls this Spit Buzz); hence without the instrument or mouthpiece.
Please note that when you play, the back of the tongue will drop even further down from the roof of the mouth to allow the air to freely pass over it. This position will be lower in the mouth when playing in the low register, and a little higher (creating more tongue curl and air compression) for the upper register. It should be noted however that it is the front section of the 'tongue wedge' pushing into the top teeth and upper lip that creates the main air compression.
I have added some scary pictures that show the formation of my embouchure. The first picture has the lips opened up to show the position of the tongue wedge and open teeth. The second picture shows the lips closed around the tongue in the playing position. You can see the tongue protruding over the pulled in/up bottom lip, and also pressing into the top lip. The third picture shows the position of the mouthpiece on my lips while actually playing.
Please note that when you play, the back of the tongue will drop even further down from the roof of the mouth to allow the air to freely pass over it. This position will be lower in the mouth when playing in the low register, and a little higher (creating more tongue curl and air compression) for the upper register. It should be noted however that it is the front section of the 'tongue wedge' pushing into the top teeth and upper lip that creates the main air compression.
I have added some scary pictures that show the formation of my embouchure. The first picture has the lips opened up to show the position of the tongue wedge and open teeth. The second picture shows the lips closed around the tongue in the playing position. You can see the tongue protruding over the pulled in/up bottom lip, and also pressing into the top lip. The third picture shows the position of the mouthpiece on my lips while actually playing.
