Klarinet Archive - Posting 000765.txt from 1997/10

From: "Mark Hollingsworth" <mleholl@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Anchor tonguing
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 23:23:16 -0400

I have always tried to "correct" anchor tonguers, especially young
students. I always found the students sitting in higher chairs in bands
and orchestras tongued using the traditional "tip to tip" method.
However, I have a college student this year who anchor tongues, has always
anchor tongued, has tried to "correct" it, but can't seem to do so. She
knew her tongueing was slow when she entered college and is determined to
do something about it. She plays very well, however, good tone, good
technique and the anchor tongue is beginning to move faster. Therefore,
why correct her? Although I (her teacher) tongue tip to tip, she seems
quite able to learn assigned articulation exercises and is beginning to
keep up with other clarinetists in fast articulated passages. After
reading the many responses on this topic, and finding out about the many
pros who anchor tongue, I conclude that perhaps the way a person tongues
should not be disputed, but rather try to cultivate a skill through regular
routines that a teacher is used to using. I must admit, my student is
articulating better than several of my students who use tip to tip.

Mark Hollingsworth
East Central University
Ada, OK

----------
> I have a student in 5th grade who started in 4th grade without private
> instruction. When he tongues, it is much too legato, if at all. On the mp
+
> barrel, he can do it somewhat. He knows the concept, can do it somewhat,
> but there is no consistency. His tongue is really quite long - he can
touch
> almost under his chin with it. I am considering working on Anchor tonguing
> with him, as his tongue is so long, and he really can't control it well.
He
> is quite unique, I have not encountered this problem to THIS extreme in my
> 15 years of teaching (full time specialist / performer). He points his
chin
> to perfection, has a good sound (except when he tried to tongue), and has
> good finger control. In other words I don't want to switch him to piano,
or
> drums :-) I've had numerous kids come to me who didn't tongue for the
first
> 2 years of playing that I have fixed in 5 minutes, so it's not me. I know
> the concept (of teaching kids to tongue), and can teach it quite well-
> analyzing, and fixing playing problems are some of my specialties.
> He is touching right below the tip of the reed, with the tip (just below)
> of the tongue.
> My question is this. Any anchor tonguing players out there who teach, and
> have experience teaching that? If so -how?? (any suggestions besides curl
> the tongue behind the bottom teeth) Do you anchor because of a long
tongue,
> or is it just the way that you started out?
> David C. Blumberg
> reedman@-----.com
> http://sneezy.mika.com/OCR/reviews/reviews.html
> http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet/Music/Blumberg.html
>

   
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