Klarinet Archive - Posting 000438.txt from 1996/01

From: Terri Kimiko Oda <as648@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: New User
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 14:47:39 -0500

>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.

Hi Bethany! I'm also a new user enjoying this list, since my friends have
all gotten sick of me talking about clarinet stuff. (And I don't think
it's a good idea to get on the bad side of a French horn who sits behind
you...)

> 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??

Ouch... 6 years of habit is hard to break! (But it *is* possible, I'm
sure) Recently someone told me *not* to tell people to smile and try to
play, because the muscles are somewhat different. However, it gives you
the right idea... Something else you might watch is that you keep your
chin flat. When I started doing this, I choked off my reed almost
completely, but as I got used to it I found that just watching that made
my embouchure better. Good luck!

-> Terri <-

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/
In life, as in French, gender complicates everything. //
-- ZF ///
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