Klarinet Archive - Posting 000592.txt from 2003/01

From: "Bruce McGarvey" <infodev@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] double- lipping
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 18:42:39 -0500

<snip>
> I am
> aware of tonal advantages D/L players enjoy
<snip>

I wonder about these "tonal advantages."

Many years ago, when I was a real clarinet player, I switched to the double
embouchure because I heard a big improvement in the sound when I used both
lips. After I got comfortable using the double embouchure, playing single-
and double-lipped alternately for about six months, I decided to find out if
what I heard was audible to anyone else but me.

First, I had two accomplished clarinetist friends face away from me and
listen as I played the same three passages six times each using the
different embouchures, they not being told when I was using one or the
other. They weren't accurate in guessing when I was using which embouchure;
they hit it right a bit over 60% of the time.

Then I tried the same experiement with myself as the audience using a stereo
microphone and tape recorder, with two weeks between recording and
listening. When I finally listened to the tape, after referring to my notes
I found that I wasn't any more accurate in guessing than my friends were.

Of course, "your results may vary," but the increased quality of sound I was
hearing as I played using the double embouchure was due to bone conduction
that distorted the sound coming to my ears when my teeth were on the
mouthpiece using the single embouchure.

I don't remember who said it--maybe it was Pino, another author, or someone
on the list--but, at least in my case, the statement that, given a
"reasonable" embouchure, it isn't the lips but the air flow and throat
cavity that makes the difference seems to be correct.

My two cents, though as I said, "your results may vary."

P.S. I now use both embouchures regularly, double when I'm sitting and
single when I'm standing. It's more pleasant hearing myself when I use the
double, and I can rest the bell between my kness when I'm sitting, but it's
easier for me to handle the horn and there's less wear and tear on my upper
lip when I'm standing and using the single-lip embouchure.

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