You can find the best, most legitimate information directly at trumpetteacher.net, which Smiley operates. Who is The Balanced Embouchure For? This method is highly recommended for:
The exercises are designed to work for any player, not just those with natural talent.
Pushing the lips forward and rolling them outward, often associated with lower ranges or a very open aperture.
A more vibrant and focused sound, as described on trumpetteacher.net and in O.J.'s Trumpet Page interview. Conclusion: A New Path for Brass Players
Refining flexibility, stamina, and tonal control. Why "The Balanced Embouchure" Has Lasted the balanced embouchure jeff smileypdf
At the heart of the BE method is the idea that the embouchure is a living system of polarities. Rather than striving for a static, "correct" position, Smiley advocates for developing the lips' ability to move through an extreme range of motion. He argues that by practicing extreme opposites, the body will naturally find the efficient middle ground (the "fulcrum") necessary for standard playing. This shift from conscious control to unconscious coordination is the method's primary goal: allowing the lips to "figure out" the finer details of vibration. Core Mechanics and Exercises
Relaxing the lips to vibrate freely without much tension.
The BE book is . While free PDFs may appear online, downloading them is both illegal and often results in missing pages or the crucial CD. As of 2016, the book cost $45.00 for the physical copy including the CD. An adapted version for French horn is also available as an optional supplement.
When these muscles fight each other or when one group dominates, the result is often a thin tone, poor endurance, or a "ceiling" on the high register. The BE method provides a series of "unconventional" exercises designed to find a neutral, balanced state where the lips can vibrate freely across all registers. Key Concepts of the BE Method 1. The "Lip Clamp" and "Roll-In" You can find the best, most legitimate information
Jeff Smiley’s method, known as , argues that the embouchure is not a static posture but a dynamic system. The core premise is that high notes and low notes require different, opposing muscle actions. By training both extremes, the embouchure naturally finds a centered, efficient "balance" in the middle register. The book focuses on balancing two main lip movements:
Intrigued, Léon decided to embark on a quest to develop the perfect balanced embouchure. He spent hours in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting his lip placement, tongue position, and facial muscles to match the illustrations and descriptions in Smiley's PDF.
The book provides specific, actionable exercises that move beyond theory.
The 149-page book includes 30 pages of specific drills designed to challenge the lips' range of motion: Roll-Out / Roll-In Pushing the lips forward and rolling them outward,
While many trumpet players praise TBE as a career-saving method, it is not without critics in the brass community.
Heavily used to encourage a "roll out" position, which helps relax the lips and reduces pressure.
At first, the process was frustrating and uncomfortable. Léon's lips felt stiff and sore, and his playing suffered as a result. But he persisted, convinced that the reward would be worth the effort.
There is an that can be purchased for a nominal fee (historically around $3) with the purchase of the main book. This is the legitimate digital supplement for horn players. Contact Valerie Wells or Jeff Smiley directly through the official website for the most current ordering information.
The Balanced Embouchure (often abbreviated as "BE") was published in 2001 and represents a significant departure from standard brass pedagogy. Rather than dictating a single "correct" lip position, Smiley argues that a truly effective embouchure naturally emerges from training the lips to move in two opposing directions: rolled-out (for low notes and pedal tones) and rolled-in (for the high register).