Definition

The way a musician uses their lips and tongue to play a wind instrument, or the mouthpiece of such an instrument.

Example

The musician adjusted their embouchure to produce a clearer sound on the trumpet.

Conversation

I’ve been practicing my trumpet lately, but I’m struggling with my embouchure.

That’s really important! How do you usually position your lips?

I’m not sure, but I think my embouchure needs to be tighter.

Maybe you should watch some tutorials; they can really help you improve.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Embouchure** → The word comes from the French *embouchure*, meaning the mouth of a river or the opening of a wind instrument. It is derived from the prefix "em-" (meaning to put into) and "bouchure" (from "bouche", meaning mouth). The term refers to the way a musician positions their mouth on an instrument to produce sound.

Memory Tip

Think of 'putting into the mouth' ('em-') of an instrument ('bouchure') — that's how you remember that 'embouchure' refers to the mouthpiece or opening used in playing a wind instrument.

Visually Confused Words