Klarinet Archive - Posting 000540.txt from 2003/04

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] embouchure problems
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:37:56 -0400

Nancy Buckman wrote:
> At 03:13 PM 4/15/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>
>> Interesting. This is all news to me, and I've been playing for almost
>> 7 years. I did say "from my understanding" only because I've been
>> told that the double lip embouchure is improper. I completely apologize.
>>
>> ~SAM~
>>
>>
>> Good Heavens Sam,
>
>
> No apology is ever necessary for an honest mistake, but if you really
> feel the need to apologize, I am fairly certain I can speak for most on
> this list, that it is humbly accepted.
>
> Nancy (you might just see what it's like to play with a double lip)

Actually, Sam, when I was a young player, I too was always taught that
it was not a good way to play. However, when I attended music camp one
summer, I was taught that I had a serious tension problem and was
chomping down quite seriously on my mouthpiece.

Enter the double lipped embouchure as a teaching tool.
Like Nancy, I have a slender upper lip, so double lip is not suited to
me for full-time usage. However, I did find that if I played that way
for, oh, say the first ten minutes of my practice session, just long
tones, it really helped me loosen up my facial muscles so my embouchure
was more flexible, and my intonation really improved, as well as my tone
- I didn't have that pinched, edgy sound that people so often associate
with high school players who play a lot in the upper register.

These days, I will often play a little with a double lip if I feel added
tension coming on, just to stay relaxed.

Patricia Smith

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