Formation of the bassoon embouchure involves five basic steps: (1) Cover the upper and lower teeth with the lips. Some of the red part of the lips should be left showing. (2) Insert about three-quarters of the blade's length into the center of the mouth. (3) The jaws should form an overbite. (4) The embouchure musicles should be focused toward the reed, i.e., draw the corners of the mouth inward. (5) The chin should not bunch upward.

Common embouchure problems include too little reed in the mouth (often caused by playing on a reed that is too hard), lips not covering the teeth enough (usually caused by embouchure tiredness), and biting. Embouchure and tone production problems can also be caused by an improper seating position. In general, students should use a seat strap, although a neck strap or "shoulder harness" may be used when standing during solo performances. Adjust the seat strap so the head need not be raised nor lowered when the reed is inserted into the mouth. Bassoonists should sit up straight with at least the top part of the back off the back of the chair. The bassoon should angle to the left, and the music is read over the right side of the instrument. I recommend that each bassoonist have a separate music stand to facilitate the proper holding of the instrument.

When playing bassoon, the mouth and throat should be open and relaxed, as in singing. The proper pitch is achieved through support with the air, not by biting the reed. Students relax and play out! Too many students play timidly.