Klarinet Archive - Posting 000259.txt from 2003/10

From: Ed Wojtowicz <ewoj@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] [clarinet] reeds for beginners?
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 10:12:06 -0400

There are always different ways to look at things. Some people feel that
starting on the mouthpiece or barrel gives a student less to worry about and
the issue of covering holes and leaky fingers does not come up. Just as in
beginning brass, some advocate buzzing the lips alone and with a mouthpiece,
some feel there is no purpose, yet you will hear some pros doing warm ups on
the mouthpiece.

As far as pitch, I have always found that when there is proper embouchure
support and correct voicing, the mouthpiece alone will produce a high C
(concert pitch) and with barrel I believe it is an f#. When some students
are chronically flat or have trouble voicing, especially in the high
register, I have found that working on the pitch of the mouthpiece alone
often will be a quick solution to diagnose and solve the problem.

It is always good to have lots of things in your bag of tricks.

Ed

> From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
>
> Just curious.....how does one blow properly into a mouthpiece/barrel? I know
> this wasn't your idea here, but there are many different sounds produced when
> blowing through just a mouthpiece and barrel and unless you have playing
> experience the acquired sound is hard to control. IMHO, I don't see anything
> that can be gained, other than making a lot of noise. There is no correct
> pitch and no way to judge the quality of sound coming from this set-up. When
> starting my own kids, they use the whole clarinet and start out with all left
> hand fingers down (no pinky). They get a real pitch to work on and feel a
> sense of accomplishment, i.e. "I can play something". I can play the same
> note along with them and it gives them a reference point from which to work.
> In my mind, the mouthpiece/barrel thing is a waste of time.
>
> Nancy (fire-proof suit on)

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