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Here's your topic;

Any listers/teachers out there have any opinions about jaw position throughout the range of the instrument?

Differences between high and low registers?

Overbites and underbites?

Possible related physical problems? Like TMJ?

Now discuss!

Thanks,
Frank Ortega

My teacher (who was, himself, a New York student of Bell's) advocated jaw position as a way to focus airstream; jutting forward to focus up, pulling back to focus down. He would have his students rock the tuba forward when ascending and pull back while descending an arpeggiated exercise to master this concept.

Range is the result of efficient embouchure function.

Correct jaw position will be a result of finding an efficient embouchure, any other jaw position is artificial.

You cannot seperate the functioning of the embouchure, tongue, jaw and soft tissues, they function as a unit and they function automatically by the computer (brain).

Range is not a result of forced jaw position. The jaw does not vibrate.

Almost all of the above are direct quotes taken from the notes I made after my lessons.


You'll find devotees of certain teachers who will measure the distance between the front teeth to play a certain note. Two words: hog wash.

I vote for Alex C's answer.

Alex C wrote:Range is the result of efficient embouchure function.

Correct jaw position will be a result of finding an efficient embouchure, any other jaw position is artificial.

You cannot seperate the functioning of the embouchure, tongue, jaw and soft tissues, they function as a unit and they function automatically by the computer (brain).

Range is not a result of forced jaw position. The jaw does not vibrate.

Almost all of the above are direct quotes taken from the notes I made after my lessons.


You'll find devotees of certain teachers who will measure the distance between the front teeth to play a certain note. Two words: hog wash.

I agree completely! Forcing the jaw to do most of your work creates too much tension and can force you into an unnecessary overhaul of your embouchure.