Klarinet Archive - Posting 000764.txt from 2001/01

From: "Tanya Kiermaier" <tanyak@-----.au>
Subj: Re: [kl] Hissing air.
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 17:06:48 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: Ian Black <clarinet1@-----.uk>

> Having stopped playing clarinet when I left school, and just picked it up
> again in the last year or so, I'm still a little out of practice, and the
> embouchure is not what it was. But this evening, I noticed an involuntary
> hissing of air out of the right of my mouth, in between mouthpiece and
lip.

Hi Ian

I had the same problem, but not associated with dental work (probably just
habit, and irregular practice). It seems one side of my mouth must have
developed 'stronger' muscles or something, because I had a seal on the
right, but air escaped on the left! I think it must have happened for a
while without my noticing, because I have 'clarinet smile' lines and one is
longer than the other!!

What I did was go into the bathroom ('cos you can hear the sound better) and
play while looking in the mirror. I just played long notes so I could
concentrate on getting everything right and I only started with a few
minutes at a time, but often. I could then see what was happening and
'adjusted' to make the seal. While this worked for me, I have to say it was
my own home remedy!

cheers
Tanya

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org