Klarinet Archive - Posting 000745.txt from 2001/10

From: Mitchell Halpern <dotcalm@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] FW: Speaking of "Returning Clarinetists"....
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 01:16:21 -0400

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From: Mitch Halpern <mhalpern@-----.com>
Date: 22 Oct 01 10:11:31 -0700
Subject: Speaking of "Returning Clarinetists"....

Hello List:

Yes, I, too, am a returning clarinetist. I played seriously through
college and grad school, but have only played/studies intermittently (at
best)
for the last 18 years. Recently, I "donated" my trusty 30-year old R-13 to
my stepson, figuring I wasn't likely to play much anymore, but found that
it just did not feel right to be without a clarinet. At any rate, I
availed myself of the opportunity to try many different clarinets during a
recent trip to NYC and wound up purchasing a new R-13 Vintage (after trying
a
goodly number of horns from Buffet to Yamaha at the Woodwind and
Brasswind...) that I have been trying to get back into shape with.

So far, my experiences pretty much mimic those mentioned by the other
recent "returnees", except for one very troubling item: a completely
unstable
embouchure. After only a few moments of playing, my lower lip and jaw
start an "involuntary tremble" which, obviously, makes consistent tone
quality, intonation, and articulation essentially impossible in the clarinet
and
higher registers. I have experimented with reed strength and with some
old mouthpieces I have had "lying around" and nothing (yet) seems to have
any significant effect on the tremor. I hope this is just muscle fatigue
from a weak embouchure which will disappear as the respective muscles gain
strength.

Does anyone else have any suggestions/insights? Also, I am collecting
recommendations of clarinet teachers on the San Fran peninsula; any
suggestions would be appreciated :-)

Regards,
Mitch Halpern
Menlo Park, CA

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