Klarinet Archive - Posting 000455.txt from 1995/09

From: Lisa Gartrell Yeo <ux403@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Getting soft in my old age.
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 1995 16:55:23 -0400

>
>Over the past year I have been playing on progressively harder reeds. Having
>identified this as a major problem in achieving flexibility of colour as
>well as making clarinet an endurance sport :) I've made the leap to softer
>reeds. All was going fine for the first few days of the change except now I
>find I am unable to keep a fast moving airstream.
>
>My previous setup was extremely resistant and provided an excellent balance
>for my air pressure. Now on a softer reed I find that my sound is getting
>really lously, and that there is no consistency in the upper register.
>
>Are there any suggestions for working on this problem?
>
>Jay Winick
>Enthusiastic Amateur
>
>
Jay,

Many clarinetists have fallen into the trap of playing on reeds that are
too hard (for their mouthpiece), with the notion that these reeds give a
better sound. While in some respects this may be true, the disadvantages
are enormous: lack of flexibility in timbre, "fuzzy" notes at low
dynamics, intonation problems, and sore "chops"!
Now that you have changed to a "lighter set-up", your embouchure is going to
have to be far more sensitive. You are probably used to a very firm,
perhaps biting embouchure. Your muscles will need to work less, but
in a sense you will have to work harder to maintain a consistent,
focused sound. Others can give you the basics of a good embouchure far
better than I can, but here are a few ideas:

Think of "oo" with the lips. You want a consistent pressure on the reed
from all directions, not a biting upward pressure from the lower lip.
This is especially important in the upper register, where biting can lead
to a strident sound and squeaks.

Keep the tongue position high in the back of the mouth. This helps to
direct the air in a focussed stream into the instrument. Again this is
very important in the high register especially.

You mentioned that you are having trouble keeping up your air speed.
With softer reeds, you should find that your breath lasts longer than
before; you don't have to blow so "hard". But it doesn't mean that you
stop having air support! You need to control your air more now that you
are blowing less of it (volume) at a time than before. Try not to do
this by tensing your abdominal muscles, as this can cause tension-related
problems. You ARE using them but they shouldn't be constricted. Sorry,
I can't seem to explain that one very well. It's a concept I'm grappling
with myself right now. Any takers for a better explanation?

I hope these ideas help. I do think you made a wise decision, however to
change to lighter reeds. Your mouth will be forever grateful!

Lisa Gartrell Yeo
Victoria, BC

   
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