Klarinet Archive - Posting 000486.txt from 2000/05

From: CmdrHerel@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Articulation Concerns
Date: Mon, 8 May 2000 17:33:38 -0400

In a message dated 5/8/00 2:33:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
horvath1@-----.net writes:

<< My current teacher is trying to change my articulation and embouchere
completely. He says that although I have a wonderful sound my articulation
is incorrect. I am working too hard and not keeping the airstream going
between notes. When I do this correctly my sound suffers miserably. Instead
of a rich full sound, I sound shrill and like a beginner. My teacher says
that time will correct this. I would appreciate any suggestions for
articulation and the correct way to do stacatto. Also thoughts about the
length of staccato notes. Should they be as short as possible? I have been
playing this way for many years and a change at this point is difficult.
Thanks. >>

I have to say that your current teacher sounds like he is on the right track.
The air MUST move between notes and the toungue should be light and
accurate. You will indeed be able to find the right tongue position that
allows you to do this as well as maintain a beautiful tone. Be as patient as
possible in the meantime. :)

Staccato notes can be any length you need them to be, depending on the
context. (Sometimes extremely short and clipped, other times "bouncy" with
open ended decays, and sometimes just slightly more seperated than legato
notes.)

The good news is this: The motion of your tongue and the general air
technique that you are learning now, does not change for length of notes.
(Some may argue with me here, and perhaps the strength that I hit the reed
varies with some styles, but I'm talking more generally here.) In fact, most
of the work that I do with my students tonguing technique is *very* legato.
Once they have the right concept, shortening it to any length is cake.

So keep blowing and don't worry about the tone for a while. It takes a while
to refine the tongue position since neither you or your teacher can see in
your mouth, and it can be hard to describe in words exactly where your tongue
should be.

(One last aside note... If you had a fast tongue before, you'll have an even
faster and more sensitive one now!)

Teri Herel

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