Klarinet Archive - Posting 000413.txt from 1995/09

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Undertones
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 11:08:25 -0400

Patricea,
In all probability you are doing any or all of three things to
cause the undertone. First, if you are tonguing with the tip of your
tongue to the tip of the reed, as many (most?) of us do, then you are not
touching the reed quickly and sharply enough. Next, you must be
supporting enough to support the articulation (are you?). And finally, if
you are doing those two things and you are still getting that undertone,
you have to use the proper amount of lip pressure. Too little and the
diaphragm support isn't enough. Too much and you close off the reed. It
is a delicate balancing act. Hope this helps. I just had a student
yesterday with the same problem and these tried-and-true guidelines
helped her (as they have helped all my students). I've found that if a
student is allowed to tongue sloppily from the beginning, they develop an
undertone, but if they are taught correctly from the get-go, this problem
simply doesn't happen (I was in the former category, so I know whereof I
speak).

Fred J.

On Mon, 18 Sep 1995, Patricia C. Dew wrote:

> I have been having problems with G, A, Bb, etc., in the clarion range
> having a very bad undertone, especially when attacking the note. The
> undertone becomes worse when I am articulating. Any suggestions as to how
> to get rid of the undertone?
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Patricia C. Dew | pcdew@-----.edu
> University of North Carolina at Greensboro | =__
> -------------------------------------------- _,>/'_
> (commuter student without a parking permit) ==> ___(*)_(*)____
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>