Klarinet Archive - Posting 000012.txt from 2004/01

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Practicing tonguing for beginners; was, teaching beginner essentials
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2004 13:27:35 -0500

Kenneth Wolman wrote:

> Twenty minutes a day for practice? There are days here and there
> where, owing to outside world commitments, I can't pick up the
> instrument. My practice sessions therefore tend to go for quite
> awhile...stop in between until I can feel my mouth again...then go
> back to it.

I have to agree with Ken. I wouldn't practice tonguing for more than
maybe fifteen minutes a go, tops. You'll be adding WAY too much
tension, otherwise, which will cause the muscles to pinch, adding
pressure to the reed, AND altering the position of your tongue, your
lips, and the rest of your setup.

It's more important to concentrate on the position of your tongue as you
tongue, and maintaining proper air support while tonguing, than trying
to get a lot of speed going, when you first start tonguing. You want it
nice and clean. And this, above all, needs to be communicated to your
students - clean articulation and good breath support!

HTH,

Patricia Smith
(btw, Happy New Year to all on klarinet)

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