Klarinet Archive - Posting 000226.txt from 1994/10

From: Michiya Nishino <mnishino@-----.EDU>
Subj: Intro & schools
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 10:19:26 -0400

Hello everybody!

I've decided to follow in the other's footsteps and thought I would
introduce myself. My name is Michiya Nishino, and I'm a freshman at the
University of Texas at Austin. I'm a Plan II (liberal arts) major with a
concentration in premedicine--I have a great passion for music and our
instrument as well. I've been playing for seven years, and I'm
continuing my playing here at UT--both by taking lessons from Dr.
MacDowell (a wonderful teacher, by the way) and by playing in the UT Wind
Ensemble. I subscribed to the network last month, and have thoroughly
enjoyed all the discussions!

I read the question regarding schools of playing, and this piqued my
interest. For the past seven years, I've been playing with the corners
of my lips pulled back toward, so that my lower lip would be rather
firm. However, I'm changing my embouchure rather drastically here at
UT--I'm focusing the corners of my lips toward the center of the reed so
that my bottom lip is a "cushion" for the reed to vibrate. I found that
my sound is indeed a bit more resonant this way--as Dr. MacDowell
explains it, I allow the clarinet to "play itself" this way--the reed
vibrates freely. I'd like to hear other people's comments on the
different schools of embouchure-forming and the reason behind each one.
I finally understand why focusing my lips toward the center works for
me--but I was wondering the reason behind pulling the corners of the lips
back. Thanks!

Michiya Nishino (mnishino@-----.edu)
Freshman, UT-Austin, Plan II/pre-med major, clarinetist!