Klarinet Archive - Posting 000482.txt from 2003/10

From: Tski1128@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] the embouchure
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 09:41:55 -0400

In a message dated 10/17/2003 9:01:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time, musickmann@-----.com writes:

> not interested at this time in
> double lip embouchures unless someone has a convincing
> case as to why I should teach beginners to use double
> lip

1. It is the easiest embouchure to teach," Like sucking on a soda straw but blow the air instead"
2. The only thing you can do with an embouchure is stop the reed from vibrating,thats it. If you want a great sound you have to allow the reed to vibrate to it's maximum. thats easier to teach with a double lip.
3.Most beginners have a fuzzy tone, I don't think it is caused by mouthpieces that are too open or reeds that are too hard. It's caused by too much pressure on the reed at the wrong spot. I think double lip allows for the pressure to be spread around the mouthpiece more.
4 and here is the most convincing reason to have beginners use the double emboucure: they will sound better faster!!

Take the Puwalski challenge! the next 2 beginners that walk into your studio. Find the one who you think has the most natural ability, and start teaching them "single lip", The other student tell him or her to wrap both lips around their teeth, put the mouthpiece in their mouths and exhale like they're blowing out birthday candles. I guarantee that in one month's time the double lipper is sounding good and the other is still looking at you, making attempts to make all those single lip "faces" that teachers like to make to demonstrate embouchure.

Now I know that at least half of this list will think and say that I'm full of Crap. But maybe someone will actually try this and actually prove me right or wrong.

Tom Puwalski former Principal Clarinetist with the US Army Field Band, Clarinetist with Lox& Vodka, Author of The Clarinetists Guide to Klezmer and Coming this winter: A new set of Books entitled " At the Simcha" lead sheets and harmony for the complete klezmer party

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