Klarinet Archive - Posting 000139.txt from 2011/07

From: "=?iso-8859-1?Q?Claudia=20Zornow?=" <claudia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] =?iso-8859-1?q?Flat_Chin+Tight_Grip?=
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:40:14 -0400

Lady <ladyquelambe@-----.com> wrote:
=

> I'm having trouble understanding how to keep my chin flat while playing.
> When I draw my chin downward, it forces me to open my mouth somewhat,
> and of course air escapes. I would appreciate it if someone would try to
> explain how to do this.=A0=A0I don't have a music teacher, so I've been
> trying to learn correct embouchure from http://www.clarinet-now.com/.
> The website says to try smiling, growling...none of this works because
> the muscles I use to flatten my chin are the same muscles I use to keep
> the bottom jaw closed over the mouthpiece.

Your jaw stays in exactly the same place. What you pull downward is the sk=
in and muscle over your chin.

I really like Larry Guy's book "Embouchure Building for Clarinetists." He =
has useful descriptions and photos of what to do with your top lip, corners=
, and chin. His recommendation is to make your lips very firm on the top a=
nd sides, keep the sides (corners) in, and keep your chin down and flat. H=
e also has a lot of good things to say about tongue position.

Claudia
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