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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000009.txt from 2003/05
From: "Christian P. Roberts" <cpr4k@-----.edu>
Subj: [DR-L] Re: opening throat upper register oboe
Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 19:42:59 -0400
Beth,
I think rather than the trachea expanding/contracting (which I don't
think it can do), the "open throat" sensation is created most easily
by a relaxation that allows the head to be free of the neck (an
Alexander concept). That concept is developed by focusing on the
vocal cords ... but after all, in playing the oboe, we are just
moving the two vibrating surfaces to the lips from the larynx.
I have had oboe teachers explain the open throat by "imagining you
have a tennis ball inside your mouth", or by "a sensation that the
back of the head, ear-to-ear, is expanding." This latter is easy to
feel if you can wiggle your ears ... Whatever floats your boat!
An open throat allows a sound to float upwards from the vocal cords;
a closed throat pinches the sound and makes one hoarse in no time ...
Gently say "Ah" ... This releases the jaw and tongue. Now imagine
something that causes you to smile slightly. This causes the arch of
the soft palate to widen slightly and lift the sound. The position
of the internals of your oral cavity and throat is now a relaxed one.
Take a reed and encircle it with a supportive embouchure ... now
imagine you're saying "Ah" with a slight smile. This gives you the
most open and relaxed throat possible and keeps the vocal cords from
tightening and inhibiting the flow of air. The throat -> neck is
larger because the oral cavity has been opened. I am sure what was
implied was NOT bulging veins in the neck and a red face caused by
the pressure of too much air behind the reed.
Hope that helps.
-Chris
oboetooter@-----.edu
--On Thursday, May 01, 2003 4:02 PM -0500 "Ludemas" <ludema@-----.net>
wrote:
> I have to jump in here. Could someone explain the physical
> properties behind an "open throat"? The trachea can't actual
> expand and contract can it? And moving all the other stuff in the
> throat (swelling of the neck, etc.) shouldn't affect the air stream
> any, or does it? I understand how the mouth would affect things,
> and perhaps the opening of the throat at the point where it
> connects to the mouth (I don't know if that can be controlled
> voluntarily or not). What actually "opens or closes", and does the
> "swelling of the neck" actually affect the air? I've used the term
> "open your throat" myself for a long time, but one of my students
> (a physician, actually), challenged me on it recently. I promised
> to do some research, and this is a good opportunity. Any answers?
> Beth
