Klarinet Archive - Posting 000350.txt from 1994/12

From: Michael Wilder <mwilder@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: getting started
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 02:24:54 -0500

It seems that lower lip pressure is the culprit in the dilemma you face
with limited practice endurance. Have you ever tried a neck strap or
resting the bell of the clarinet on one knee. Many recommend double lip
embouchure for a limited period of time to "teach" your jaw (primarily)
to "back off" with the pressure.

When I am playing with a great deal of lower jaw pressure, my playing
time is serverely limited. With the appropriate amount of pressure, I am
able to play for hours.

Your jaw pressure may be an attempt on your part to compensate for a reed
which is too hard, a mouthpiece which is unresponsive, or any number of
other things which result in a tone which you don't like. As a way of
making up for this you bite!

For what it's worth. . .