Klarinet Archive - Posting 000704.txt from 1998/04

From: "John Gates" <cadenza@-----.com>
Subj: Thud in tonguing
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 14:01:28 -0400

I have had over the years many students who have a thick sort of thud in the
sound when the tongue. Generally as the students practices and improves it
goes away. However it takes a long time and is always frustrating and
discouraging for the student. I'm sure that many of you who teach know the
type of problem I'm talking about. I have made the following observations
but have no method of fixing this problem.

1) Students generally are teenage girls anywhere from about 13 - 17.
2) I've never had an adult student or anyone younger than 11 who has had
the problem
3) Occasionally boys have the problem but its not as bad.
4) Students that have begun with me don't have problem, at least not as
dramatic as the other ones.
5) M/P and reed setup doesn't seem to be causing this
6) tongue placement doesn't seem to effect it.

Does anybody have suggestions on this? Is there a name for the problem?