Posted by Jay Bertolet on July 27, 2003 at 10:01:15:
In Reply to: Air escaping from corners of mouth-help! posted by Alexandra on July 27, 2003 at 01:37:54:
I would look at two issues:
1) Make sure the mouthpiece is flush with your face. Some players hold the horn in such a way that the mouthpiece doesn't seal against the face because either is tilted. No seal means air leaking.
2) Try bringing your corners into the mouthpiece. One of the common problems with a smile embouchure is that you're taking meat out of the mouthpiece. This is why that particular embouchure can be so detrimental to tuba playing. If you scrunch the corners of your embouchure into the mouthpiece, there likely won't be a leak, except into the mouthpiece which is what you really want. More meat in the mouthpiece means more buzz, most always a good thing.
Good luck!
My opinion for what it's worth...