Klarinet Archive - Posting 000316.txt from 2004/07

From: "Bernie Hunt" <bernie_ml@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Flutter Tongue
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 04:10:49 -0400

On 9 Jul 2004 at 13:01, Christy Erickson wrote:

> I'm playing clarinet for a musical production of Annie. There is one
> note in the music that requires a flutter tongue and I'm wondering if
> anyone has any suggestions for this. I've had very few occasions to
> use this technique during my clarinet playing days and have never been
> able to do it. Any ideas?

Christy,

Can you roll your r's without a clarinet in your mouth?

If you can, try using just the mouthpiece (+reed and ligature) and
barrel, and put them in your mouth pointing almost vertically down,
and with only a small amount of mouthpiece in your mouth. Blow really
hard, and roll the r. Then gradually change the mouthpiece angle to
bring it up to a more normal playing angle. You are not trying to get
a proper clarinet noise when the mouthpiece is not at the correct
angle (or necessarily any noise) - so don't worry. Also don't worry
if it sounds rubbish when you do get to the correct angle. Get the
flutter right first, and sort out tone and intonation later!
When you can do it with the mpc/barrel combination, use the same
trick with the whole instrument.
The idea is that if you can roll r's without a mouthpiece, the
problem is probably the intrusion into the mouth getting in the way
(otherwise it's embouchure and/or breath support), so using this
technique gradually introduces the mouthpiece, once you are already
rolling the r.

Bernie

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