Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 1995/04

From: Steve Prescott <MIPRESC@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Fast Tongue
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 09:17:34 -0400

Michelle,

If you can tongue a single note at any tempo or say 16ths on the same
pitch at any tempo then the problem is in the fingers. The tongue is
very seldom the cause of "slow tonguing". The tongue will invariably be
even in its movement to and from the reed. Coordinating the tongue with
uneven fingers is all but impossible.

If you find that you cannot tongue steadily even on the same pitch
(which in some circumstances is the case) then you need to reexamine
your tonguing (which, from what you have written, is what you are doing
now). I'll start from the beginning, hoping I'm not being too remedial
- it is not my intention to insult your intelligence or playing. Uneven
tonguing is usually the result of tonguing too hard. Play an open G or C
in the chalemeau register. The cure: Slowly bring the tongue up to the
reed until the tone is distorted - your tongue should tickle unbearably
if you're doing it right. Practice that a few times. This will give
you control over your tongue. Next, do the same thing only this time
bring the tongue to the reed onle enough to stop it (the reed) from
vibrating. You will still hear air passing through the clarinet. That
is as hard - theoretically - as you will ever have to tongue. You can
practice this slowly at first and then bring the tempo up slowly. The
breaking point regarding speed is 16ths at 160...Bob Spring and his
fantastic double tonguing (CD is called Dragon's Tongue) is the
exception!

Steve Prescott
Instrument Rep. Tech./Clarinetist
Indiana State University
mipresc@-----.edu