Klarinet Archive - Posting 000862.txt from 1996/02

From: Michael D Moors - Alpena <mdmoors@-----.US>
Subj: Re: Teaching students to play in tune
Date: Thu, 29 Feb 1996 17:11:22 -0500

Clark,

I approach intonation in several ways in young students. First of all
some band directors don't realize that they will never get get intonation
unless there are good fundamentals. I concentrate heavily on breath
support, embouchure the first year. I also try to set good articulation
habits. If you have a good embouchures developed and good breath support
in your students you have a shot a good intonation. Another belief I have
is not starting students on too soft of reeds. I start my beginners on 2
1/2 Mitchel Lurie reeds. By Christmas as the embouchure develops I crank
it up to a 3. By the end of the first year most students can handle a 3
1/2. For readers that don't use Michel Luries they run softer than
Vandorens. I use them because more play in a box. For people that say
the reed are too hard I maintain that beginner don't know the difference.

Other important items:

1. I always tune throat tone g and a from the barrel. Middle line B and
the C above from the bell if they are still high. This gives you a
balanced tuning.
2. I have my students make a chart notating how many cents flat or sharp
their instrument is. They need to know their equipment.
3. I use a tuner that has a pitch and have them match to the pitch. Not
play to the dial. Then you can use the dial for reference later.
4. Get a quality mouthpiece.

Mike Moors

On Thu, 29 Feb 1996, CLARK FOBES wrote:

> I have been asked to do a clinic on mouthpieces and intonation and
> am interested in in-put from anyone on the list. I have some very
> definite ideas about the problems of playing in tune both from a
> technical and social aspect, but I wonder how some of you that teach
> approach intonation with your students. Particularly young students.
>
> Even if you don't have any answers list some of the intonation
> problems that seem to be common to your students.
>
>
> Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
>
>
> Clark W Fobes
>