Klarinet Archive - Posting 000816.txt from 1997/10

From: "MedProbe Research" <krownoss@-----.com>
Subj: Re: sore lip
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 20:49:11 -0400

----------
> From: Moren, Jennifer <jensmore@-----.net>
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: sore lip
> Date: Thursday, October 16, 1997 9:43 PM
>
>
>
> ----------
> >
>
> > Subject: sore lip
> > Date: October 1997
> >
> >
> > Dave: "I am a very green clarinet player (about a month), and also
green
> to
> > reading music in general. I am also 44."
>
>
> I find that most "older" beginners approach learning an instrument in the
> same manner and at the same speed as they would building a doghouse or
> learning calculus. Be patient with yourself! The instrument will take
> many years to become proficient on, and many more to become an extension
of
> mind and body. Don't think too much about detail or you'll go mad!
> Also, there are a lot of great players out there, but few good teachers.
> If something is not working for you, don't be afraid to question and ask
> about other possibilities. Some times the most can be learned from a
> child who is just getting started. They tend to not "over think" the
> various situations, but just react. A good teacher should also be
> comfortable teaching youngsters and using their problems and solutions to
> teach other students of all ages. Also, a "picture perfect" embouchure
and
> high notes should not be an issue at your stage of development.
>
> "The problem I have is a very sore lower lip. Is this normal for
> beginners?"
>
> This usually occurs the most when students start to learn the upper
range.
> Other possibilities are; biting, usually due to insufficient air
support,
> too soft of a reed which closes up on high notes(2 at your stage), too
hard
> of a reed which is difficult to blow without biting (possibly 3 or more
for
> you), poor reed condition, worn out (dead) reed, poor quality reed (RICO,
> Selmar, etc.), or a poor quality mouthpiece. I recommend a Hite M41
> mouthpiece or the Hite Premiere as a less expensive alternative. There
are
> other possibilities, but that is a start! When all else fails, try EZO
> denture pads. They are inexpensive, easy to find and use, and you don't
> have to wash them like more permanent guards! (just pitch them) Tape
and
> cigarette paper are a real pain, both in preparation and effectiveness.
>
>
> "Also, I am getting some
> > terific pains in my right thumb. Is it possible I am applying too much
> > downward force with my head and neck?"
>
>
> > There are all sorts of thumb cushions available, or try a piece of
> surgical tubing. Tenseness can cause pain on the inside of the right
hand
> all the way up to the elbow. Be careful, because this can lead to
> tendonitis. My favorite solution to help both of these is a neckstrap.
> The one I recommend is the "Caricord". It is a long piece of elastic
(with
> Velcro adjustment) and connects to the thumbrest using a soft leather
strip
> with a slot cut into it. This does not "hold" the clarinet, but removes
a
> lot of its weight. It usually costs no more than $10 and is found in
most
> catalogs.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Jennifer
>
>
Dear Jennifer:
Thank you so much for your helpful suggestions. I appreciate your input,
and I am going to try them. A #2 reed was too soft and I was playing flat,
a # 3 reed seems to be working well, but I do find I am "biting" which may
be the reason my lip is so sore. Again, thanks.

Sincerely,
Dave