Klarinet Archive - Posting 000051.txt from 2001/02

From: A4ACHESON@-----.com
Subj: [kl] embouchure subtone
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2001 09:38:08 -0500

In a message dated 2/2/01 1:00:22 am, Audrey wrote:

<<I've realized it happens
only on the initial release of air, not throughout the note.>>

That makes more sense, which is why I asked my original question.
I come across this problem all the time. Being aware that it is there is
halfway to solving it, most students have great difficulty hearing it.
It is caused by not co-ordinating the tongue and the breath properly and the
embouchure being 'prepared' too late. The embouchure must be set well before
the breath is released.

Practise 'a' above the staff with breath release.[without tongue]
Hold the 'a' with as good a sound as possible and without relaxing the
embouchure, start and stop the air stream, without the tongue. Practise this
till you can do it consistently without the sub tone.
Then, while playing the 'a', touch the reed lightly with the tongue, making
sure the embouchure stays fixed and is not disturbed by too much movement of
the tongue.
You should soon be able to play the 'a' without a sub tone.
When you have corrected the 'a', move up in tones or semi tones.
[You need not start with 'a', you could use whatever is the lowest note in
which you can clearly hear the sub tone, I usually find 'a' is best.
Arthur Acheson

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