Klarinet Archive - Posting 000413.txt from 1997/05

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: Wiggling clarinet embouchure
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 09:34:39 -0400

Well, I'll say this:
Anthony Gigliotti checks his students embouchures by wiggling the clarinet
from side to side- BUT- If the mouthpiece does not freely move, he says
that the embochure is too tight.
It's the opposite of what that "symphonic" band director feels.
"it's a good thing that directors batons don't make a sound"

Julie Wrote:
Now a question: Recently I was annoyed when some band director jerked the
clarinet that was in the mouth of one of my students, presumably to check
the "firmness" of the embouchure. This procedure involved wiggling the
instrument to see if it would remain in her mouth, I guess. The student had
a look of horror, I was mortified, but I have since discovered this is THE
way that the area band directors check for embouchure "firmness"--I have
not in recent memory seen this procedure done, and it has bothered me ever
since, but I seem to be in the very minuscule minority, even amongst
woodwind players, when I've expressed my displeasure at this abuse.
Apologies,if I'm just out-of-it, and this is a standard acceptable practice
by clarinetists, which is my question: Is it?
Thanks for your input!-------Julie

David C. Blumberg
Principal Clarinet Riverside Symphonia
Adjunct Woodwinds Instructor Univ. of Penn., Bryn Mawr College
reedman@-----.com