Klarinet Archive - Posting 000003.txt from 1998/04

From: Dodgshun family <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: Re: Brass VS. Woodwinds
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1998 02:13:17 -0500

At 06:47 PM 31/03/98 EST, you wrote:
>But I believe that playing those instruments to any extent will
>affect your clarinet embouchure negatively. I have found this also to be true
>for those who play saxophone; their clarinet embouchure is like a wet noodle.

I don't agree. I find that playing sax has helped me; because I have to
support diaphragmatically (is that a word?!) much more on bari sax, I've got
used to doing it and I now support more and consequently get a better sound
on clarinet. My clarinet embouchure hasn't been changed, as I've just
learnt to adjust. Playing bass clarinet doesn't screw up a Bb embouchure,
even though it needs a different embouchure; why should a sax?

>That said, I have a feeling that playing oboe might actually improve your
>clarinet embouchure. I know that some clarinetists use a double embouchure.

One of my clarinet playing friends has just taken up bassoon. She is
finding that the bassoon embouchure is completely different, but it's not
affecting her clarinet playing. The contact with the reed is far less on
bassoon - your lips barely touch it.

Anna