Klarinet Archive - Posting 000121.txt from 1996/10

From: Kiezun Aneta Elizabeth <kiezun1@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Embouchure Help.
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 1996 01:22:32 -0400

Hi all,

I have just started lessons with a new teacher and she pointed
out almost immediately that my tonguing was unclear and too slow. It
turned out that like Lisa, I also tongued into my lip not the reed
itself. I did this because I found my tonguing to be too rough when I
touched the reed. Now people always commented on my sound how nice it was
but I find it tends to go broad especially in the chaleaum register. She
suggested a new position for my tongue. To keep it high when playing so that

you create a sort of plateau for the air. Now when I tried it, I still
had a good sound but with more center to it.
Is there anyone who does this? Am I the only one who finally got it?

Aneta Kiezun

Sat, 5 Oct 1996, Lisa Gartrell Yeo wrote:
>
> 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
>