Klarinet Archive - Posting 000357.txt from 1994/12

From: Lorne G Buick - Music TA <lgbuick@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: getting started
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 12:26:55 -0500

Another reply to our 50-year-old beginner- I won't quote the original
message again. Congratulations on your gumption in taking up the
instrument and welcome to the sore lip club...

As a 33-year-old who's been playing professionally for 15 years or so, I
can definitely sympathize with the problem of building up the embouchure.
My career has been somewhat erratic, so I've been so out of shape that
I've had to rebuild it from scratch quite a few times. I've had times
when I could play for eight hours a day and love it , and others when I've
injured my lip at the beginning of a tour and not recovered properly for
weeks.

I think your approach of playing in several 20-30 minute sessions is
probably the best. I trust your teacher is giving you good guidance on
embouchure formation- using the lip muscles (not the jaw) to support the
reed, etc. I think you mentioned Keith Stein's book- his description of
the embouchure seems sound, if a bit verbose.

Best of luck and Merry Christmas!