Klarinet Archive - Posting 000023.txt from 1994/06

From: 00smgeidel@-----.EDU
Subj:
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 1994 08:46:05 -0400

Clark Fobes wrote the following on S Drucker:

>>I was interested to learn when I met with him for the first time last
>>October that he has been playing on the same mouthpiece (Lelandais) for
>>almost 50 years! That must be some kind of record. He has only had it
>>"touched up" by Everett Matsen once.
>>
>>I guess there is something to be said about finding a mouthpiece that
>>does the job well and then sticking with it!

I believe there is in fact a GREAT DEAL to be said for finding good equipment
and sticking with it. In my thinking I am including reeds, mouthpieces,
ligatures...

I am a great believer in Daniel Bonade's thinking, "Find yourself a mouthpiece
with a medium facing and medium tip opening and LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE CLARINET!"

To clarify, I have long felt that as players we must take responsibility for how
we sound, and how we sound is in large measure a function of how we play as
opposed to the equipment we play on. I have often had the experience of letting
other players--professionals and students--play on my equipment. When they take
up my horn and blow, well, they still sound like themselves. They don't sound
like me (not that they would want to...) just because they are playing my
setup. And, when I play another clarinetist's instrument, I still sound like
me, with all my failings still in place, and none of my shortcomings magically
corrected by different equipment.

Sound is developmental, and if we give ourselves a "constant environment" within
which to function (that constant being the mouthpiece-reed-ligature setup) we
can then begin to allow ourselves to develop. The first ingredient is acquiring
a concept of how we want to sound. Then, with the model firmly in place in our
"mind's ear," we can work towards realizing that goal through gradual
adjustments in embouchure formation and embouchure "pressure" (usually a
LESSENING of pressure!), and--importantly--of air flow. In short, find a
flexible setup--so that it can accomodate your development--and engage yourself
in the process of learning to play the instrument!

Comments?

Stan Geidel

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Dr. Stanley M. Geidel | Personal replies to:
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