The embouchure

What is the embouchure and how can you make it work for you in flute playing ?

em·bou·chure /ˌämbo͞oˈSHo͝or/ The way in which a player applies the mouth to the mouthpiece of a brass or wind instrument.

*the mouthpiece of a flute or a similar instrument.

The diagram below should help you form the various ranges in the flute.

For low notes the embouchure should be tighter at the sides. It should have a sort of frown shape (corners tight).

For the middle notes it should form a sort of whistle shape and for the top notes embouchure should be relaxed and round. The face should feel like its asleep, fairly relaxed.

The jaw and top lip should move forward as the notes get higher in pitch. The face should be extremely loose, you should almost be able to fit pockets of air into your cheeks and almost be able to giggle them.