Klarinet Archive - Posting 000267.txt from 2001/02

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] FW: Unstable altissimo notes - a call for help
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 14:05:10 -0500

At 06:38 PM 2/8/01 +0000, you wrote:
>Don`t bite too hard as already stated - in fact your top lip <does> need to
>be <very> firm, but bottom lip does not need to be any different than lower
>notes.
[SNIP]
>Long tone practise cures every blight on Earth.

It has been my experience that the first statement above is not synonymous
with the second statement. Upper lip support - a very firm upper lip with
lots and lots of adjustment on register changes - makes for a much better
sounding altissimo (although it is not the key technique to actually
getting the note to speak). In fact, a firm, flexible upper lip is
paramount to just about everything that is good and positive in playing the
clarinet(s).

Sincerely,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Clarinet Professor
Director, Symphonic Winds
Advisor, Recording Services
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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