Klarinet Archive - Posting 000109.txt from 2002/11

From: "William Semple" <wsemple@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Lower Lip Not Folded Over Teeth (was Sharp Teeth)
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 11:46:26 -0500

I didn't mean to say it lacks a centered tone. What I meant to say is that
this embouchure, which I also employ, seems to open the air column, invoking
if you will more of the acoustical potential of the chamber.

That's what seemed to give Wright the extraordinary sense of power in his
playing. His ability to push so much air into the instrument, but with such
a high degree of control.

----- Original Message -----
From: <Tom.Henson@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] Lower Lip Not Folded Over Teeth (was Sharp Teeth)

> Please forgive my not editing this long message, but I am sending this
from
> my Blackberry which does not allow you to edit the replied to text.
>
> I use this embouchure that is described in this thread and have used it
for
> many years due to sharp lower teeth.
>
> I learned it from a Doctoral Candidate at University of Michigan who
studied
> under Keith Stein. This is also the embouchure described in Keith' book.
>
> I have to disagree with the statement that this type of embouchure lacks a
> center to the tone.
>
> With practice this embouchure is the closest thing to a true double lip
> without actually playing a double lip.
>
> It never fails that when I start playing around someone who has never
heard
> me play before that they are quite amazed and pleased by my tone.
>
> I love the tone that I am able to produce with this embouchure and as I
get
> back into the swing of things it only gets better.
>
> I would compare my tone right now to that approaching Harold Wright's.
>
> I too also tend to play the clarinet in an more vertical position than
> others and I know why these gentlemen did also. Holding the clarinet more
> vertically puts more of the reed on the fulcrum of the lower lip and gets
> the reed off the lower teeth. This takes away any edge to your tone that
the
> teeth can cause if too much pressure is used on the reed.
>
> The result is that you are able to maintain a very centered tone and thus
> produce what I would consider a sound closer to a double lip.
>
> These of course are my stated opinions based upon my experience as I have
> never heard myself from a distance, but I have had some valuable feedback
> from others whose knowledge I do respect including my teachers.
> I would be happy to disciss this further off list if anyone likes.
>
> This embouchure to me is a much guarded secret in the professional world.
>
> Tom Henson
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>

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