Klarinet Archive - Posting 000561.txt from 2001/09

From: Sean <feanor33@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: klarinet Digest 14 Sep 2001 20:15:01 -0000 Issue 3334
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 13:46:37 -0400

Dan,

Hope you're enjoying your second year in KY.

I have a solution that has worked in every instance for me and my
students. The grunt, or air leak through the nose is caused in this case
by fatigue, but I don't think it's the fatigue of the soft pallette.
When one is playing with a properly raised and forward tongue position, no
air leak through the nose is possible, since the air is directed in such a
way as to make passage into the nose impossible. However, maintaining
proper tongue position often strains embochure and other muscles in the
facial area (neck too in bad situations). When this happens, the other
muscles seek relief, which is most easily obtained by slowing the air
speed, which is most easily accomplished by relaxing the tongue position,
thereby causeing the air to leak out the nose in a grunt or even a steady
stream. Concentration on proper tongue position in these instances has, in
my experience, eliminated the problem. However, other muscles may try to
ease up on the air speed and you could end up with a just-as-bad problem of
an air leak through the mouth.
Whenever possible, it's best to stop playing when you get too fatigued and
rest for a little while, then start up again. This is much the same
technique used by strenght athletes to build up their muscles. And, like
them, remember that proper form is more important than heavy weight.

Let me know if this helps, and good luck.

Sean Osborn

>I have a student who has developed an air leak through his nose after he is
>playing 45 minutes. I have heard of this problem with other wind players.
>Does anyone know more or know where I could get more information about this
>problem and possible solutions? This also happened after he played a total
>of 6 hours in one 24 hour period with rehearsals and practice. He never had
>this happen before. I told him to limit his practice time to 1/2 hour and
>take hour breaks in between and to stop practicing if this occurs again.
>
>Dan

http://www.geocities.com/osbornmusic/
http://www.mp3.com/metopera/

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