Klarinet Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 2003/02

From: "Anthony Wakefield" <tony-w@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] some beginner questions
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 04:28:42 -0500

Rigel,
You will only learn a little in here about the correct shapes and which
muscles to use and control. There is too much in your post to be able to put
it right thru` e-mail contact. I would strongly advise that you seek a good
teacher, (if you don`t have one already). He/she will put you on the right
path far quicker than what we can in here. It`s wonderful that you are
engrossed in the clarinet. With this, and good guidance, you are sure to
become a winner.
Best,
Tony W.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rigel Keffer" <rbkeffer@-----.net>
Subject: [kl] some beginner questions

> 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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