Klarinet Archive - Posting 000888.txt from 2000/09

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Correlation: Tip opening and tongue speed
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 15:18:12 -0400

At 01:19 PM 9/27/2000 EDT, you wrote:
>There was another reply...I didn't save it. It went something like
>this....".go na na na na na na na na na na...as fast as you can. This is
how
>fast your tongue moves, and nothing you can stick on the end of your
clarinet
>can improve that."

Actually Walter, I agreed with the post above.....

>I began to realize that my tongue works no slower, nor faster than anyone
>else's. What I was NOT doing successfuly was transferring the potential
speed
>to the reed.

However, this is not the case with all people. Some people's tongues are
really, really slow! The na na na na.... or the du du du du...... idea
really does help identify a slow tongue.

>Here is my concept - With all other things being equal, a reed on an open
tip
>can/maybe MUST move farther on each vibration. Therefore it would take more
>time for the reed to "flex" and be ready and in position for the next tongue
>stroke.

It must move further towards the tip but it's flat position (open position)
is a constant on every mouthpiece (unless it is a hollow table mouthpiece).
Therefore, since the reed is only being stopped by the tongue as opposed
to pushed against the tip of the mouthpiece by the tonue (I know that
statement is like playing with a loaded gun by the way), the amount of work
for open vs. closed mouthpiece is negligible for the most part.

>Whoever made that post that annoyed me was indeed correct, equipment cannot
>make my tongue move faster.

And you are to be commended for rethinking it......but that is because you
are a thoughtful and open-minded person Walter!

>But MAYBE it can position the reed more
>correctly, so that it is ready for each successive tongue stroke.

Maybe, but not likely (in my opinion of course).

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Symphonic Winds
Head, Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
(309) 556-3268

"A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes
another's."
Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)

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