Klarinet Archive - Posting 000741.txt from 1999/04

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Double Lip Playing-Question for Tom Ridnouer
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 09:23:28 -0400

Neil Leupold wrote:
>
> 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
>

Playing relaxed and with virtually no excess movement (fingering economy) are
further promoted by having the clarinet's mechanism set up with fairly light
and even spring tensions. While it is impossible to have all touch pieces
completely equal in their resistance, a great many instruments could be
substantially improved through regulation by knowledgeable and caring repair technicians.

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