Klarinet Archive - Posting 000740.txt from 1999/04

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Double Lip Playing-Question for Tom Ridnouer
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 09:09:50 -0400

On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:

> My problem is playing while standing. How do YOU play double lip
> while doing a recital, or a concerto?

This question appeared to be directed at Tom, but I assume
it's okay if other list members have suggestions. If the
problem is one of stability while standing, I believe it's
important to recognize a couple of things. First and fore-
most, our own arms and hands are the only things that make
the instrument move around while we play. The fact that
the instrument feels poorly anchored in the mouth when play-
double lip is not, in itself, sufficient to explain why it
sometimes feels like the instrument is about to shake itself
loose from the embouchure and fall to the ground. Thus, it
is vital that the grip with which the instrument is held be
a light and delicate one, whereby the fingers are relaxed
and flexible while playing, thereby minimizing any abrupt
motion of the instrument while playing. Merely relaxing
the hands and arms is not enough, of course. One must also
relax the shoulders and the whole upper body. The process
of learning to do this well is a gradual one, developed over
the course of daily practice, wherein conscious attention is
paid to the manner in which the instrument is held in the
hands while playing.

If there is further interest in this thread, I'll chime in
again with input about the embouchure, which is the other main
element of the equation. Must run to work now!

Neil

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