Klarinet Archive - Posting 000036.txt from 2003/02

From: Rigel Keffer <rbkeffer@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] some beginner questions
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2003 13:11:52 -0500

1) Why is it wrong to let your cheeks puff out while playing? Why the rule
about not having inflated cheeks? What is the reasoning? I accept that
it's proper form, I'd just like to know why.
2) When I try to keep my cheeks in, one of two things happen: a) I lose
the force of my blowing power. My notes go flat sooner, I can't achieve
higher register notes with ease, or I run out of ooomph in fewer measures,
or b) the space between my upper lip and nose inflates (very odd looking).
What am I doing wrong? When I goof and let my cheeks have their way, I
don't do Dizzy Gillespie cheeks...I do keep mine in fairly well, but I know
I'm still puffing out a bit too much.
3) When I am in a higher register and then come down into lower register
notes, sometimes I screechy squeak. What was making a beautiful high D or E
will make a nighmarish Bb or A. Amy says I'm doing one or two things
wrong: a) I need to adjust the force of my breath, or b) I need to work on
my mouth (that ambeture??? word). Any advice? I climb up the notes quite
well, my problems occur in climbing down.
4) I seem to be very brutal on reeds. I damage them/wear them out at an
obscene rate. Little bits of corner peel back on the top right, splinters
come off, etc. I've even bloodied the corner of my mouth on one (have no
idea how!). I don't know what I'm doing wrong, I just know I'm guilty of
reed abuse. Amy says it might have something to do with how tense I get
when I'm really focussed on getting something. Any insights?
5) Amy says I practice too much for a beginner. I disagree. I have fallen
madly in love with playing clarinet, and practicing is often my sane,
formyselftime of the day (I'm in grad school, and I homeschool my
very...ermm...energetic son). After learning a couple of cruel lessons, I
have instituted my personal practice policies: a) I will stop before I
draw blood on my bottom lip or the skin underneath it (which I used to do),
b) I will stop before the knuckles in my right thumb become locked to the
point that I have to reach down with my left hand and reengage the
knuckles. As long as I am following these personal guidelines, is it
possible to practice too much as a beginner? How will I ever built breath
and mouth endurance and skill if I don't push the envelope???

Thank you. I appreciate the varying skill levels on this list and the
openness to questions I have seen. I have been learning a lot by reading
your posts.

Love and hugs,
Rigel

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