Klarinet Archive - Posting 000051.txt from 2007/11

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Chin Movement-Help!
Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:41:40 -0500

Bobby,

There are other issues associated with mouth movement. While you are
totally use to the way you sound, (and of course, don't we all think
mostly pleasant thoughts about our own sound) you are probably causing
the pitch to 'porpoise' or scoop up quickly at the beginning of every
note tongued. You, this will make the person tired. It will also limit
the speed at which one can tongue. It you can't tongue any faster than
you can chew, then you will limited in speed.

Learning to use the muscles at the corners of the mouth will
eventually stop these movements. Think of them as pillars that hold
steady the jaw and lips. Think more of your embouchure as being an "O"
rather than an up and down clamp on the reed and mouthpiece. If you
are not using enough corner muscles in the right way, there is a very
good chance that you are also pinching or biting on the reed. A
controlled pressure, but not an up and down chomping onto the reed.
This will only pinch off the tone and inhibit the reeds' vibrations.

I would suggest slow, very slow tonguing of a single pitch. Do it in
front of a mirror and force yourself to hold the mouth, jaw and chin
still. Remember you've been doing otherwise for a very long time.
Doing it a new or different way will take great concentration and
focus, but it can be done IF you have the will.

Best of luck to you. Just being aware that there's a problem is a
large step towards fixing it.

Richard Bush

On Nov 5, 2007, at 5:52 PM, Robert Lapinski wrote:

>
> Hello!
>
> I am a freshman in college and and currently beginning my studies in
> college as a clarinet major. I
> began playing clarinet my freshman year in high school and love it.
> I hope to eventually go on to
> become a music therapist.
>
> Recently, in my first few lessons, my professor noticed my chin
> moving whenever I articulate, especially
> throughout faster passages with articulations. We tried a few
> different exercises with and without the
> clarinet and they usally work, but when applied to an etude, my chin
> moves like crazy.
>
> My articulations are pretty clear and my tone is nice, but this chin
> movement can tire me out (sounds
> kind of weird..but it does haha).
>
> Anyone out there have any suggestions, past experiences and what you
> all did to overcome it??
>
> Thanks for your help!!!!
>
> Bobby Lapinski
>
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>

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