Klarinet Archive - Posting 001116.txt from 1998/09

From: CmdrHerel@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] How can you move your throat and not the jaw!
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 14:27:13 -0400

In a message dated 9/28/98 3:15:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
pim2@-----.com writes:

<< I really am fascinated by this and I am sure my poor tonguing is holding me
back.
Can you explain a bit more please - how can you open the throat without
moving the jaw - and I thought that was absolutely taboo!
It can't be that difficult - but I am finding the correct position is
eluding me - I seem to start off OK but by the end of a page of music, I
have "slipped" and find myself gripping the reed and reducing the air flow -
why is this damned instrument so tricky for me - after a year of playing I
know I should be better (a poor grade 5 I would guess).. >>

Hey Erica.

I'd like to offer some thoughts.

Try this: Keeping your teeth clamped together, try to yawn... See how you
throat opens right up? And your jaw didn't move at all if you kept your teeth
together. :)

I play with a VERY open throat when I play, but ironically I don't think about
opening my throat to do it. What seems to work very well for me and my
students is to think rather about breathing and playing very low: From the
diaphram or "gut muscles."

For whatever reason, this relaxes and opens up the throat. I think when we
try to "open the throat" we actually tense it rather than relax it, and I have
a feeling that this is what is causing some of your trouble. In a way you may
be trying *too* hard.

Think about how you're breathing. Breathing in by pulling the gut muscles out
is easy enough, but then as you're playing, really think about blowing from
down low, too. I think you may notice a difference in your sound very
quickly, and ironically you'll find that your throat has actually opened up
and relaxed.

I have found that adult beginners often try too hard, if that makes any sense.
They do everything I tell them to do and try to "think" through things rather
than just stuffing the horn in their mouth and blowing like a kid does. I
purposely try to *not* explain some things to them so they *won't* think about
them, but they usually catch on and pump me with questions! :) And in trying
so hard, usually it's tenseness that causes problems. (Especially in anything
tongue related.)

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Relax, blow low, and think like a kid! :)

Teri Herel.

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