Klarinet Archive - Posting 000782.txt from 2001/10

From: Nichelle Crocker <nichelle@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] FW: Speaking of "Returning Clarinetists"....
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 07:20:41 -0400

I had the same problem with my lip trembling, especially my first few weeks
back on the clarinet. It disappeared entirely within the first
month. Like others mentioned, I spend some time at the beginning of each
practice session on long tones and make sure that I warm up carefully.

Someone mentioned tonguing- I also do a tonguing exercise on my scales
where I tongue each note 7 times, then 6, then 5, etc. until I am playing a
quick staccato scale tonguing each note once. It nearly killed me the
first few times back into this routine, but it is really helping me regain
speed in tonguing and finger coordination. (And the nice bonus is that
some of my long-neglected scales are getting the dust blown off them.)

Nichelle Crocker
nichelle@-----.com

Mitch Halpern wrote:

>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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