Klarinet Archive - Posting 000118.txt from 1996/10

From: Lisa Gartrell Yeo <ux403@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Embouchure Help.
Date: Sat, 5 Oct 1996 20:21:12 -0400

I know this is a late response but I wanted to comment on Fred Jacobwitz's
tonguing advice. While I found most of it to be right on the mark, I
was concerned about his advice not to worry about how hard the tongue
touches the reed. It has been my experience that this approach leads to
a tongue that is very tense and therefore cannot be fast and/or light.
It is also much easier to get squeaks and an "explosive" sound at the
beginning of the note. The tongue should be clean and precise, but
relaxed.
Another important aspect of tonguing point is the air stream, which
should be focused by keeping the back of the tongue raised and
consistent (not sagging between notes). I used to tongue into my lip,
not touching the reed at all, and have had to really examine the ins and
outs ofthe process to develop good articulation (and I'm still
working on it!)

Hope this helps,

Lisa Gartrell Yeo