Klarinet Archive - Posting 001377.txt from 1998/10

From: Note Staff Unlimited <notestaff@-----.ch>
Subj: Re: [kl] double lip embouchure
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 19:37:25 -0500

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> Oh my GOD that's funny!! Outgrow?? Wow.
>
> I've been playing double lip for about eight years now, and indeed going back
> to teeth is like David Glenn said, "Scraping your fingernail along a
> blackboard."
>

I "knew" we had some affinity!

> I've encountered two problems with double lip embouchure. The first is
> endurance.

I started out playing double lip until my upper lip slipped out by itself and
wouldn't stay in any more. This was during my first season in the Kurorchester
(three concerts a day - pretty straining...) By the end of the first season (1981)
I never needed to put my teeth on the mpce anymore (for 17 years!)

>
>
> The advantage? Tone. I know tone is a matter of taste and I've heard some
> beautiful single lip tones, but the clarinetists I love most to listen to have
> all been double lip players, so that's enough for me.
>

Hear, hear! It helped my tonguing as well.

> I start all of my students double lip.

Maybe this is a good idea. I alway explain to the beginner as simply as possible
how to blow (reed onto the lip, close the mouth and blow) and then I ask them if
they have their teeth or their upper lip on the mpce. I don't force the pupil to
use double lip as I reckon some people have shorter upper lips or something...
It's always clear right away whether double or single lip.

> Keep your head up and the clarinet in.

I find that the clarinet tends to turn out away from the body a bit more with
double-lip. Thereby less tiring to hold. I hardly ever have it on my knee and
generally prefer to play standing. Does this mean I have iron chops? I don't think
so.

>
>
> Teri Herel
>

Thanks Anne and Teri for your comments.

David
David Glenn
notestaff@-----.ch

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