Klarinet Archive - Posting 000950.txt from 2001/10

From: Mike Dowler <syo@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Band vs orch eefer range
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 21:11:28 -0500

At 4:35 PM -0500 10/30/01, Elise (EClarinet@-----.com) wrote:
>I do this because middle school students (and some high schoolers) often try
>to SLAM the high notes, or force them. They blow as hard as they can, and of
>course, the air column is too wide and too slow, and they don't get the note.
> So once they understand the idea of the 'smaller' air column which is
>faster, then I just remind them of this by saying "not force, finesse".

I don't think the air column has anything to do with hitting high
notes. Look at a beginner who first takes the instrument out and
squeaks out all sorts of high notes. If your students are having
trouble hitting the high notes, make sure they have a stable
embouchure, then have them gradually move the clarinet into the
mouth. As the lower lip makes contact with different points along the
reed, different partials (or harmonics) will be "activated". This is
best demonstrated by huffing each note rather than trying to play
legato, which is much more difficult. This probably relates closely
to what Robert has been discussing with teaching the altissimo, and
perhaps the list can add to what I'm saying.

The air column is important, but I believe it is more of a controller
of intonation and tone quality. That is what is missing when the
beginner makes those squeaks. This can be easily simulated by picking
up the clarinet and blowing with no concern for embouchure, fingering
or tongue position. What you'll produce is either a 1st partial note,
or a "squeak" (on an open G, most likely a 3rd partial or maybe an
unstable 5th or 7th partial). Now form a proper tongue position and
do nothing else. The tone (whether 1st partial, or 3rd, and even 5th)
will focus and be pretty much in tune. Why don't we just play like
this all of the time then and not worry about embouchure? Of course,
the answer is control, and I'm sure you have told the same thing to
your students when they've asked what the point of correct embouchure
is.

Mike
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