Klarinet Archive - Posting 000957.txt from 2001/10

From: lubydjackson@-----. Jackson)
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Band vs orch eefer range
Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 01:08:27 -0500

I'm reading through this and all the levels of the tongue are just as
important to gracefully play high notes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Dowler" <syo@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Re: Band vs orch eefer range

> 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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