How to pronounce embouchure
Say it like OM-buh-sher. Embouchure has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce embouchure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OM
- buh
- sher
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Embouchure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sherKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of embouchure
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: om-buu-SHOOR.
What does embouchure mean?
- The use of the lips, facial muscles, tongue, and teeth when playing a wind instrument.
Where does embouchure come from?
From French embouchure, from emboucher (“to put in one’s mouth”), from en- (“in”) + bouche (“mouth”), from Latin bucca (“cheek”).
Questions about saying embouchure
How do you pronounce embouchure?
Say OM-buh-sher. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑmbəʃɚ/. In British English it is /ˌɒmbʊˈʃʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in embouchure?
Embouchure has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OM). Broken into parts: OM · buh · sher.
Is embouchure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌɒmbʊˈʃʊə/ (om-buu-SHOOR).