Klarinet Archive - Posting 000330.txt from 1995/02

From: Tom Ascher <U15310@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Tongue Position
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 1995 14:49:52 -0500

In advice for beginner, several people have commented on tongue position.
My clarinet teacher has made a big thing out of keeping the tongue up
in the mouth. Which I found awkward at first, but now that I'm used to
it find it really helps in the high registers, and also with tongueing
action, as the tip of the tongue stays closer to the reed. But, I have
also seen many texts, etc., that emphasize an ah or oo sound rather than
an ee and have even seen a text that recommends touching the tip of the
tongue about a quarter of an inch below the tip rather than at the tip.
I've also read, heard recommendations to keep same embouchure through all
ranges of the clarinet. My suspicion is that the tongue position, embouchure
should be varied just as a singer varies the voice from chest to throat
to head etc. I find that I get a richer, fuller sound in the lower ranges
of the clarinet by opening the chamber of my mouth and throat, although I
can keep the FRONT of the tongue up and close to the reed in all ranges.
Bringing the back and sides of the tongue up for the higher, altissimo
tones seems to create more pressure with less work. I suspect also that
few people really have a very clear idea of where the various parts of
the tongue are while playing. I further suspect that the shape of the
tongue varies with individual! Would be curious to hear more comment on
this.