Saxophone embouchure

[Amy]

Hi! In January, I started to play alto saxophone after playing clarinet for five years. In my last lesson before the school holidays, my teacher told me to practise lots of long tones to improve my tone because the clarinet embouchure is very different to on the saxophone. The problem is, she's never really taught me how it is different! I know it is going to be hard to explain in writing (maybe impossible) but if somebody could try then it would be really helpful! I won't be seeing my teacher for another four weeks!
Thanks!
Amy

[MS]

Read Paul Coat's articles on the opening pages of the forum. Note particularly the mouthpiece alone exercise: A=880 (concert A). Quickest way I know to get in the ballpark of appropriate air use, embouchure tension/cushion, and amount of mps in the mouth.

"The Art of Saxophone PLaying" by Larry Teal (pub. Summy Birchard for sale on Amazon and many other online sources) covers suggestions for all areas of saxophone playing. Not a method book as such, but an information source. Best wishes. :D

[Amy]

Thanks very much! :D Right, I'm off to practise, practise and practise(and practise just a little bit more).

[Saxy Nate]

I just recently started changing to tenor after playing clarinet exclusively. One thing that really helped my emouchure on the mental side was to switch from vertical pressure (in my lips) to horizontal pressure. Use the sides of your mouth instead of your lips.

Hope this helps.

I'm so Saxy - Nate!

[Amy]

That really does work SaxyNate! Thankyou so much!
Amy