Klarinet Archive - Posting 000597.txt from 2000/08

From: "F. S. Sterns" <fssterns@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Embouchure secret...
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 14:02:11 -0400

I feel compelled to make an observation...and there is no intent to stir up
controversy. What follows is an honestly held opinion! But it would be
useful to hear comments...

...there is, in my view, no specific standard for embouchures for any member
of the clarinet or saxophone families. Different approaches work well for
some but not others.

For example, I use virtually the same embouchure for both bari sax and bass
clarinet, which some observers find almost unbelieveable.
Yet...truthfully...it works for me. I find this "hybrid" approach gets me
low notes on the bari sax at pp with no difficulty as well as solid, nice
sounding second and third registers on the bass clarinet. Not "logical"
perhaps by some standards...but it works.

I applaud those willing to experiment and emphasize that the prrof is in
what comes out of your horn. The Diz [Gillespie] looked like his cheeks were
going to explode whenever he played and I think these contortions still
bother some trumpet teachers. But you can't fault Diz's playing no matter
how unorthodox his embouchure.

If it works for you, Andrea, go with it...and your sharing this step forward
with the list is genuinely appreciated by this member. I can't agree with
you, Bill, if Andrea's "thing" gets her what she wants...theory
notwithstanding.

Remember, please, this is in the interest of "pure research"...not intended
to start a battle about "correct" embouchures! :-)

FSS

> From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
> Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 09:26:42 -0700 (PDT)
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Embouchure secret...
>
> <><> Andrea wrote:
> If you blow up the skin beneath the mouthpiece (the "chamber" in front
> of the lower teethes) the sound become more round, "plump" and sweet.
>
>
> My comment, and I'm still learning, is that what really counts is
> having a 'roundish' embouchure rather than a 'flat slit' embouchure.
> The usual way of describing this is to imagine pulling the corners
> of your mouth inwards as if tightening a purse string, but since
> different people visualize in different ways, sometimes this image
> doesn't work.
> I suppose that puffing out your lower lip could have this
> 'rounding' effect; but in general, puffing out your cheeks or lips means
> looser muscles and a leaky embouchure that doesn't apply even pressure
> across the entire reed and unfocused air with less breath support and
> less movement of air.
> Therefore, IMO, it's a "bad thing."
>
>
>
> Cheers,
> Bill
>
>
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