Brought to you this hour by

Advertising and Web Hosting on Woodwind.Org!

Klarinet Archive - Posting 000089.txt from 1995/08

From: Chad Smith <csmith@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Lip Cushion
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 07:38:01 -0400

Fred,

Thanks for your prompt response; I think you're right. The constant biting and
relaxing motions characteristic of sax playing are probably the culprits in
making my lip feel like I've been in a playing marathon when I've only played
through three or four Sanborn tunes. And as far as my cheek muscles, I've
never really thought about it, but I do have a hard time maintaining my
embouchure over an extended period, especially for mid-range notes, say G to C.
I can stop, reset, and play said note well, so that it is full-bodied and
resonant, but put it at the end of a long phrase when I'm already tired, and
I can't make the note sound even close to what I want it to; it tends to speak
thin. Now low notes are easy enough (as long as you don't ask me to play
them below mp!), and altissimo notes are right up my ally being a clarinet
player. But yeah, my cheek muscles do get more tired playing the sax, and I
guess you might say it's easier to play the clarinet when your mouth is already
tired than the sax, because of the constant embouchure adjustments?

Chad Smith
-csmith@-----.com