Klarinet Archive - Posting 000024.txt from 2000/08

From: David Glenn <notestaff@-----.de>
Subj: Re: [kl] Need suggestions from double-lippers
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 08:24:26 -0400

Gene Nibbelin wrote:

> To mainly the double lipper klarinetters -
>
> When I returned to the clarinet in 1996 after a 40+ year hiatus, I had never
> heard of a double-lip embouchure. My first thought was that this must be
> for clarinetists who like two sore lips rather than just one.
>
> However, at my lesson last week we were working to determine the source of a
> slight buzz in some of my long tones. After some experimenting I decided
> that maybe I was unconsciously biting more than I realized and perhaps
> tightening my throat a bit. Some of the comments of double-lip listers came
> to mind so I suggested to my teacher, Scott Ellington, that maybe I should
> see if a double lip embouchure made any difference. I tried it and it did
> make a considerable difference. Scott said that he liked my "new" tone much
> better. My single lip tone isn't bad by any means, but I too like the new
> tone and sound much better.
>
> Scott plays single lip on Bb but uses double lip on Bass, on which he plays
> a lot of orchestral gigs. That probably saves him a lot of low note jaw
> shaking vibrations.
>
> Thus, this week I have been practicing using double-lip exclusively. Some
> of the early problems seem to be correcting themselves gradually as I become
> more accustomed to this radical change that I am contemplating making
> permanent.
>
> Questions:
>
> Does it take very long for the upper lip to strengthen and become accustomed
> to its new role? I practice 2-3 hours a day, at least 6 days a week.
>
> How much "reduced" bite is still necessary with a double lip embouchure? I
> recall list comments that there is practically no bite required. As I've
> practiced this week, I believe that I have been reducing my bite, but am I
> correct in thinking some amount of bite will still be needed in order for
> proper tone control?
>
> I also seem to be using a bit more mouthpiece. Is this usual when making
> the change from single to double lip? My set up is a Goldbeck plain
> mouthpiece circa early '40s, approx. 1.02 tip, Vandoren V12s 3 1/2 trimmed
> to probably 3 3/4 strength. This, with an Eddie Daniels ligature
>
> Earlier this week, tonguing seemed a little difficult, but after becoming
> more accustomed to the change, particularly with more mouthpiece in my
> mouth, I feel that my naturally slow tongue may also benefit from the
> change. Have other "changers" found an increase in their tonguing speed and
> ease of articulation.
>
> I don't recall seeing any comments from double-lippers regarding something
> that I seem to be noticing; i.e. the change to double-lipping has opened my
> throat somewhat more than it already was. Is this an additional benefit to
> a double-lip embouchure?
>
> Do any of the experts on the list have any suggestions or caveats regarding
> differences in tone control vis a vis single vs. double-lip embouchures?
>
> My tone seems to be louder and hopefully "fuller". At this point I don't
> know whether it is more or less focussed or centered. How much of this
> perceived change in sound to my ears may be due to the reduced bone
> conduction through my teeth?
>
> I'll appreciate any help that you double-lippers can provide. I probably
> should be addressing this to "fellow double-lippers" as think that this
> change will be permanent. Who says you can't teach a 72 year old new
> tricks.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Gene Nibbelin
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Gene,

That's wonderful that you are doing so well on the clarinet well into your
retirement.

I don't have too much time. In a couple of days, I'll be signing off for a few
weeks but I didn't want to let your question go without commenting.

I changed to double lip at the age of 24. I was studying clarinet with Dieter
Klöcker in Freiburg. When I told him I had discovered double lip for myself, he
was shocked. He exclaimed, "Don't do it! I wouldn't know how to teach you." Out
of respect for him and wanting to get as much as possible out of the lessons, I
put off (well almost completely) practising double until after my studies were
concluded.

When I was finished, I still wanted to do it. At that point, I was playing about
5-6 hrs/day. Three concerts adding up to about 4 hrs and practice. I just
started out each session with double lip. At some point my upper lip would slip
out and I was back to single. Next session again. After a couple of months, that
stopped but I was still putting dental tape over my top teeth. After another
couple of months, that also stopped.

I'm now 46 and haven't put my teeth on the mouthpiece for over 20 years - except
to demonstrate how it sounds. But that feels horrible - like scraping nails on a
black board. I use it for all the clarinets from Eb to contrabass and all the
saxophones from soprano to bass ... everything!

My reason for changing - this is also an attempt to answer some of your
questions - was that everything seemed to go better. The tone was bigger. The
mouth cavity opens more because there is an extra lip in the opening - can also
be obtained by a thick pad glued onto the mouthpiece. Can't tell you anything
about the throat directly - it tends to open with the mouth cavity, not?
Otherwise, it's easy enough to control with vowel positions. Tonguing went
easier and faster. I found intonation easier to control. I didn't cramp so
easily.

At first I used *slightly* softer reeds but soon I was back to normal. I don't
know why you would have more mouthpiece in your mouth. Maybe it seems that way
because of your mouth being opened further? You might also find that the
clarinet tilts up slightly more away from your body with double lip. Resting the
clarinet on my knee seemed to encourage cramping up. I do it only rarely and
shortly.

As you say, you hear it differently due to lack of conduct through your teeth.
One can't hear oneself as others do anyway. I do it because I feel more at ease
and have more controll. Apparently the majority of Danish players also do so.

I hope this was of some use to you. Did you try the archives? There have been
discussions here in the past. Good luck!

David

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