Klarinet Archive - Posting 000216.txt from 1996/07

From: "George T. Ayton" <GTAYTON@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Benny, lips, and my prank
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 17:39:56 -0400

On Thu, 11 Jul 1996, John Blegen wrote:

> According to a recent Benny biography, working with Kell convinced him to
> use the double-lip embouchure for "legit" playing. But, still according
> to the bio, he continued to use a single-lip for jazz. Does this seem
> possible?
>
> *********************************************************************
> John Blegen / Glenview Public Library / blegen@-----.us

John, more than possible..essential! In jazz and dixieland, I am
physically gyrating all over the place..up.down left right..always moving
This is my entertainment mode where I take off my coat while playing open
g rhythmiacally, or step dancing or similar shenanigans

This is nearly impossible in top teeth and bottom teethed covering mode!
It hurts, and no one cares about the tone anyway..the want to see you
play the horn, not listeni critcally as per concertos etc.

I once lay down on my back and played growly "after you've gone" and
overheard an audience member pose"
Geez, can that guy ever play the clarinet, eh?
Its so nice to be appreciated..
BUT in serious stuff, non show off mode its back to the rigid cover upper
and lower teeth mode.
Incidently, on sax, in bop or jazz I cover NO teeth. I form a cushiony
whistle or "oo-oo-oo" embouchure and let the mothpiece float freely all
over. This is not to say I am not controlloing the float, tho. I am.
Anyway thats my 2 cents(can) worth.
George T. Ayton
gtayton@-----.ca
georayto@-----.ca