Klarinet Archive - Posting 000361.txt from 1997/08

From: Ariadne49@-----.com
Subj: Re: embouchure
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 1997 12:09:21 -0400

i too have had the keeping the chin flat problem since i started playing 8
years ago. i've had several teachers tell me keep your chin flat but i never
got it and then it suddenly clicked with my current band director. i don't
remember how he put it but i understand it now. i still have a hard time
keeping it that way. when i warm up on my scales it's easy to concentrate on
my embouchure because my fingers have the scales memorized and i don't have
to think about the notes, but it's hard to keep that embouchure when i'm
playing a piece like copland where i have to concentrate on everything but.
my othere problem with my embouchure is that i rolled my lower lip over my
teeth too much and my instructor told me toi think like i am sucking out of a
tiny stirrer straw, and that helped too. i understand these concepts and can
execute them but i have a hard time maintaing them for a long period of time
of playing.... any suggestions how i can get into a better habit of
maintaining my correct embouchure rather than slipping into my old habits???
tia, Noelle