Klarinet Archive - Posting 000234.txt from 2003/08
From: Tom.Henson@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Mouthpiece patches, stiff upper lip
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 21:57:33 -0400
Tony,
I can't agree with you more in saying that the solution to a biting problem
is simply to stop. It is entirely feasible that I could have obtained the
same results simply by addressing the area directly where my problems were;
putting too much pressure on the reed.
In my case, using double lip was simply a means to help me do that and not
necessarily the ultimate goal. I also wanted to explore why someone of
Ralph's reputation would be so adamant in using double lip. So there was a
curiosity at work as well.
Trying to undo a bad habit can be difficult. In forcing myself to use a
different embouchure, one that by it's nature makes it hard to continue to
bite, allowed me to retrain the muscles of my mouth to the proper way of
doing things. Thus it was not an end in itself. That is why I wanted to
share the process as well as the result.
Now that I am doing things properly, I can and do go back to using a single
lip just as effectively as a double lip. I should have tied it all together.
I think the opinion of Ralph Mclane was that using a single lip embouchure
is just a crutch in trying to learn/develop the proper way of playing
clarinet at a faster pace with quicker results. This can all be avoided if
one begins clarinet with proper instruction and having a good teacher. Two
of which I lacked when starting out. There is a very big difference in
banging out a scale and playing a musical phrase. Double lip in my case
helps me do the latter.
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Pay [mailto:tony_pay@-----.uk]
Subject: RE: [kl] Mouthpiece patches, stiff upper lip
--- Tom.Henson@-----.com wrote:
> I have been in the process of converting to a double lip embouchure
> now for a couple of months. My main reason to try this change was to
> solve a biting problem that I had.
Without wishing in any way to diminish the value of your experience, I'd
just like to point out that another way of solving the 'biting' problem that
you had, whatever that was, would be -- to stop biting.
And anyway, what *was* the problem? From your description, you were having
a problem with the clarion register. That may have been caused by lack of
flexibility of embouchure (that's what's 'wrong' with 'biting'), or too much
pressure on the reed (that fault can be common to both 'biting' and any
other method of exerting too much pressure).
The mistake is to say that the defect in the result is necessarily connected
with a specific method of addressing the instrument. Many wonderful
musicians and clarinet players have done very well without following a
particular 'mouth-religion'.
Tony
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