Klarinet Archive - Posting 000770.txt from 1999/05

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Tonguing
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 18:08:16 -0400

It is always worrisome to me when these tonguing discussions
arise. While the suggestions are almost always valid and dis-
cretely useful, it is seldom that somebody comes forth and makes
note of the comprehensive nature of the issue. From my perspec-
tive, the numerous discrete recommendations are nearly impotent
for those who are not yet advanced enough in several other areas
of their development as players to make use of specific remedies.
I refer to such things as embouchure formation and development
(including the volume and shape of the oral cavity), proper use
and control of the air stream (including positioning and contour
of the tongue), physical relaxation of the fingers, wrists, hands,
arms, legs, and the tongue itself. Simply put, if there are major
deficiencies in the development of any of theses other areas, it
is unlikely that a student will realize any satisfying results when
attempting to make use of the valid ideas being offered forth by
members of the list.

I propose that the most important element to be considered in the
quest for a rapid tongue is the status of the other areas of the
person's technique. Perhaps this is a no-brainer and has been
assumed all along. Am I pointing out the obvious, or has every-
body assumed that it is possible to have a deficient embouchure,
tense limbs, a heavy tongue, poor control of the air stream, and
still somehow apply an isolated technique to the tongue to manifest
rapid articulation technique? To go a step further (and I'm going
entirely on successful personal experience here), I would suggest
that there is a hierarchy to the development of the several areas
of a player's technique -- where certain areas are best addressed
before certain other areas, and that some concepts are best learned
in tandem rather than in isolation from each other. And through-
out a player's development in all of these other areas, the pursuit
of a light and relaxed tongue technique should be a continuous
self-testing process. Except for specialized little etudes and
such, there aren't many pieces which are completely devoid of
opportunities to guage one's progress in the quest for compre-
hensive articulation technique. We're putting the cart before
the horse, however if we're talking about improving the speed and
agility of the tongue, if we haven't first addressed and settled
the issues of embouchure, air, and physical relaxation.

Not an immediately helpful statement, I imagine, but it seems
like it needed to be said. In order to expand on the idea be-
hind what I've written, I'd need to write an articulation method
book of my own, and I'm not quite ready to do that (!).

-- Neil

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