Klarinet Archive - Posting 000769.txt from 1997/10

From: ronbower@-----.com
Subj: Re: Anchor tonguing
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 1997 08:51:47 -0400

On 10/09/97 23:42:36 you wrote:
Tongues come in different (functional) lengths. Some people can touch their
chins with the tip, while others can hardly get the tip out of the mouth.
Those with redundant tongues would, it seems, be "prone" to anchor
tongue, while those who are length-challenged could more easily tongue tip-
to-tip.
Ron Bowers
Clearwater, FL
>
>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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