Klarinet Archive - Posting 000788.txt from 2001/10

From: "Robert Moody" <LetsReason@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] When to teach voicing for altissimo notes
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 12:15:16 -0400

<<Robert, It is definitely a "Show & Tell" type of thing. I just don't
think tht my current 10-year-olds can benefit much for it.>>

That is quite alright, Annie. There have been many, many very fine
musicians produced from the traditional approach to teach the altissimo. My
approach is not meant to produce "Wunderkind", and I hope that I did not
give that impression. MY excitement stems from the effect that it has for
the kids. Sure, you can "Show & Tell" that you can play higher than some
highschoolers in your first year. But that was never really an issue for my
kids. They just thought it was normal and assumed the highschoolers could
do it except that I would congratulate them on their success.

The approach is wonderful for the kids because it helps to alleviate much of
the heartache and frustration that comes from sitting down with sore lips
trying to learn how to play the clarion and altissimo after certain habits
are established in the 12ths approach. My kids went to the highschool
already playing, basically, the full range of the instrument. They did not
have to encounter what I did in having to come to an understanding of the
differences between "voicing" (which helps clarion and altissimo notes come
out much easier) and a "firmer embouchure" (which, when approached without
an understanding or ability to "feel" voicing, usually involves a "biting"
stage).

I, like many others, went through a stage of using, basically, a wood plank
(strength 5+) reed on my 2RV and Borbeck 13 mouthpieces. There were many
tender lips trying to play the first parts in the grade 6 bands and
All-State bands I was in. We, after all, were bands who always got superior
ratings, and to get superior ratings clarinet players can't be entering
these notes with sub-tones, and so forth. It all changed when Eddie Knackal
simply taught me the overblown g' to d'''.

Basically, my approach says that teaching the kids in the beginning to
recognize voicing as one of the "basics" or "groundwork" of playing clarinet
as they are becoming comfortable with other "basics" allows them more
freedom to accel later without the stop and go of "Now let's learn how to
play in the clarion register" and "Now let's learn to play in the
altissimo" that comes from the traditional approach. With my approach I
find that I spend more time "refining" the production of the tone in the
ranges of the instrument rather than finding ways to make them speak.

<<However, I can see how 8th graders could.>>

I hope it can help, if they need it. I find it to be a nice "repair" tool
when I come across more advanced players who hadn't figured out voicing
through their experimentation. My approach is about not having to make
these kinds of repairs at all. When the kids get to playing in the clarion
and altissimo in the blue and green books in band, getting a nicer sound is
the issue, not making sure they always have a sound.

Again, my approach is about making it easier for the kids to gain facility
with the instrument in tone and technique, not creating "Superstar kids".
To prevent issues that really do not need to exist.

I am sure that you are successful with your kids and hope that you continue
to be. I would be overjoyed that I might have contributed something to help
with your 8th-graders playing comfortably in the upper clarion and altissimo
registers, if that is the case.

My Best to you,

Robert

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