Klarinet Archive - Posting 000161.txt from 1995/10

From: "Michael D. Moors" <mdmoors@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Question to the expertsd
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 1995 13:07:34 -0400

Reply to Michael Saul,

Mike,

As I judge in the State of Michigan many band directors raise this concern.
If have found that there are various things that come in to play when a
person or section is low on pitch:

1. Is the embouchure correct. I believe the chin should be firm and flat
and the corners round.
2. Is the reed too soft. This can and does contribute to intonation
problems. High
School students should be playing on a 3+ vandoren, or 4+ Michell Lurie.
These
are my personal choices. I used them just as a size reference.
3. The biggest problem I find is improper breathing. Have your students
talk deep breaths from the belt, expand their chest, push from the diaphram.
As Phil Farkus said: breathe in a basketball exhale a rope. I am a
believer that
the abdominal muscles should be firm while playing.
4. Does the student have a quality mouthpiece?

Have students do long tones-Work on cresendoing to the loudest level, then
do a diminuendo to a whisper on scale notes.

Start on low e, when happy with the support and embouchure push the register
key for the student. They will see no changes need to be made. Then do low
f to c, g to d all the way up to e to high c. Students should work on
support on each long note. Work with the automatic tuner to find pitch
problems.

I hope I have helped. Feel free to write back.

At 12:07 PM 10/8/95 EST, you wrote:
>I have been a band director at all grade levels for years and have
>always struggled with clarinet intonation (I am a brass player - so,
>nobody's perfect, for cryin' ou loud!), and I would like some
>suggestions for teaching young players to play up to pitch in the upper
>register. I have made certain that the clarinets are all squeezed
>together and checked embouchures and corners yet there are some players
>whom, no matter what we try, will always play flat.
>
>This can wreck an otherwise wonderful band sound and also kill us at
>contest, which, quite frankly is a concern of mine!
>
>Suggestions would be helpful. I am a French Horn player and would
>gladly return the favor if anyone has any questions.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Michael Saul
>Quincy, IL
>
>(P.S. I love the von Weber Polacca!)
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----------------------------------------------
Michael D. Moors (mdmoors@-----.us)
125 W. White
Alpena, Michigan 49707
517 356-3769
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