Klarinet Archive - Posting 000098.txt from 2000/08

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Facial exercises?
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 05:25:55 -0400

2nd Post to:-
Gary,
Missed the point, didn`t I? You are talking of ex. whilst at work aren`t
you. Again I`m not going to be much help.
But - - -you could start to ex. your tongue. With mouth very marginally
open, (no embarrassment, as work colleagues can`t see you do this) start the
tonguing movement. Touch the back of your top teeth (where teeth meet the
roof of mouth) with the front of tongue. Pull tongue away almost silently,
yet positively, pronouncing the letter "d" (soft enunciation/pronunciation).
Others in "klarinet" might advise another letter. Some feel more comfortable
with the letter "t". Some with "du". I feel that "d" has a gentler approach
to the initial start of the sound, (note), also shaping the tongue to
facilitate a faster staccato. It all depends on the shape of mouth, size of
tongue, shape and size of teeth etc etc. Try it at home first with
mouthpiece inside mouth, before you do it at work. To continue, pull tongue
away to a comfortable position, away from teeth. Repeat evenly thru`out the
day, gradually increasing the speed, (you will need Bill Gates to come up
with yet more software to help you count how many times you have managed to
do this come 5,30 pm). Does all this sound feasible? I really do not know if
it will help. When all said tho`, I feel that it can`t do any harm, as long
as you remember <not> to continue exercising thru` your lunch break,
otherwise you`ll end up spraying your work colleagues (God forbid B.G.
himself) with yoghurt - - although` now you mention it - - - -.
Finally, a few lessons, (expensive ones) will also give you the incentive to
practise daily.
Best of luck,
Tony W.

Original Message -----
From: Gary McGinnis <clanmcginnis@-----.net>
Subject: [kl] Facial exercises?

Hi all,

I'm new here. I'm 49 years old, and picked up the clarinet at age 10. I
played and practiced faithfully into my 30's, but got away from it about 7
years ago. Consequently, I've pretty much lost my chops. Now, I know there
are no shortcuts to getting the ol' embouchure back: Long tones, slow
arpeggios, etc. But I've got a question I've always wondered about, and this
is as good a time as any to ask it. Does anyone know of facial exercises one
can do apart from playing the instrument? I sit at a computer for most of
the day (at Microsoft), and it would be great if there were such a thing as
isometric facial exercises that would aid in toning the embouchure muscles.
Any advice? Thanks.

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