Klarinet Archive - Posting 001298.txt from 1998/10

From: SDSCHWAEG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Anchor Tonguing
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 03:23:30 -0500

I need some advice, folks! I have just discovered that a relatively new
student of mine is an anchor-tonguer. This kid is a high school sophomore,
and has always tongued this way. Amazingly enough, I have never had a student
that anchor tongued before, and I'm not quite sure what to do with her.
Should I attempt to switch her over to the conventional tip-to-tip method? If
so, how? Any recommended exercises? I could just start her over learning
tonguing from the beginning, but am not sure how she'd be able to function in
band while we're doing that. Are there any advantages to anchor tonguing?
How would we get rid of tongue "thud" at the beginning of the attack, and
excessive motion under the jaw (or is that usual with anchor tongue?)? She
also seems to have trouble with maintaining a steady air stream - she sort of
"puffs" with each attack - does that go along with anchor tonguing, or is that
an unrelated problem? I'm anxious for everyone's feedback!
Thanks all!
Susan Schwaegler

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