Klarinet Archive - Posting 000771.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Anchor tonguing
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 1997 11:03:41 -0400

I also have two students who currently anchor tongue. I am not trying to
correct them either.......they can choose which way they would like to
tongue - both ways are acceptable. However, the expectation that they
develop in all areas is a must - anchor tonguing does not hold people
back; poor motivation/practice habits does.

Thanks for a good post Mark.

Roger Garrett

On Thu, 9 Oct 1997, Mark Hollingsworth wrote:

> 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
> >
>
>
>