Klarinet Archive - Posting 000472.txt from 1997/02

From: dgilbert <dgilbert@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Sax/Clar Doubling
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 04:27:07 -0500

As both a clarinet and sax player and teacher kindly allow my small
contribution.

A clarinet mpc when inserted in the mouth usually works best when
pointed towards the roof of the mouth, a sax mpc seems to work best when
pointed rearward towards the throat.
I have seen some alto players, including some very fine players, who
adopt a clarinet like insertion of the mpc. These are almost always sax
players who were originally clarinet players, and are most comfortable
w/a clarinet-like approach.

I have also seen soprano sax held and inserted in the mouth in a
clarinet like manner.. Usually the low notes suffer. If the soprano is
lifted up away from the body so that the mpc points directly back at the
throat the low notes almost always improve. ( Some of the curved neck
sopranos attempt to correct this problem).

Many jazz clarinet players lift the horn into a "soprano sax like"
position for effect or with emotion. These players may be using longer,
more open facings (I know I do) when playing jazz. Rarely see this
position on the classical circuit ;-)

The above mentioned mpc positioning differencs would seem to dictate a
different embouchure for each.

For every rule there clearly are exceptions. Everyones' chops are
different. Have a friend play your horn and compare and contrast your
sounds. Everyones teeth, oral cavity, thoat dimensions, lip thickness,
muscle strength, etc. allow for a wide varity of different resonant
shapes.

Play what works best for you and strive to improve each as a separate
instrument.
I play differently on soprano, alto, tenor, clarinet and flute and
wouldn't have it any other way .

Dave G