Klarinet Archive - Posting 000411.txt from 1996/01

From: "ALLEN J. BUFFINGTON" <ajbuffington@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: New User
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 18:26:26 -0500

On Thu, 3 Jan 1980, Crim wrote:

> Hi Everybody,
> I'm a new user and I really like this list. It provides me with a lot
> of information. But, I have a question of my own.
> My teacher has informed me that I am putting too much lip onto the
> reed. He said one way to improve this was to smile and then put your lips
> to the reed and that would be the correct form. But, it's not that easy
> for me because I've been playing like this for about 6 years. Any ideas??
>
> Bethany Crim
>
Bethany,

I don't believe that pulling the corners back is a solution to your problem.
If, in fact, you are taking in too much bottom lip smiling would only cause
more control problems.

I tell my students to think of whistling as high as possible. Take the
the bottom lip in just far enough to cover the bottom teeth. You would like
to have some cushion so as to not bite too hard on the bottom lip. Firm up
all the way around the mouthpiece. However, the amount of lip taken in
would greatly depend on the make-up of the teeth and lips.

This approach seems to work well with my students. Good Luck!

Allen