Klarinet Archive - Posting 000399.txt from 1998/10

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re:air leak
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1998 07:59:07 -0400

Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 23:19:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: peter.stoll@-----.ca
Subject: Re: [kl]Meyer
On Thu, 8 Oct 1998 GTGallant@-----.com wrote:
> I did like Paul Meyer's playing, but too small of a sound
> and a massive air leak.
This quote reminded me to repost something I'd asked the list (about a
student with an air leak) a couple of months ago; how common are air leaks
and what do teachers and performers do to overcome them, or are they not
generally considered a serious flaw in playing?
Peter Stoll
Instructor, Univ.of Toronto
===============================================================================
An air leak (grunting too)can not be heard by the audience (at least in an
an Orchestral setting). Water in the tone, can be heard by all. If the
microphones are close enough, the air can also be heard on the recording. I
have a recording of a Clarinetist (name not given-major Orchestral
position) who leaks air so much that it sounds like a tornado when it gets
louder. The upper lip can stop an air leak by sealing it with the fleshy,
wet part. Also, when playing at louder dynamics if the reed is too soft,
the air must go somewhere, and will tend to leak (either that, or the reed
will close from the excess air pressure).

David Blumberg
reedman@-----.com
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Music/Blumberg.html

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