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 keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: SarahKing 
Date:   2003-04-15 21:43

I am a very serious clarinetist, as well as a first soprano in my local chorus. Every year we go on a whirlwind tour from town to town touching souls of young and old alike. While I wouldn't trade it for the world, (and I've been all around the world, haha!) I find that my embouchure is severely weakened after a rigorous two to three weeks of performing and touching the lives of our audiences and eachother, not to mention our director! She's such a card! Do any of you, fellow clarinetists and music-makers (allthough those are somewhat synonymous, haha!) have any tips to keep my embouchure in shape? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Love,
Sarah King



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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: funkymunky 
Date:   2003-04-16 04:18

Buy reeds 1 1/2 size stronger and play all day.

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: sfalexi 
Date:   2003-04-16 04:26

I agree with Funky Monkey here, but maybe 1.5 is a big jump. I generally go about a half to one size stronger. Trying to play on that firms up my embouchre very well. Until I get used to it and end up actually PLAYING on those harder reeds. Then you go up.

Also, the more you play, the longer your stamina will be. I'm betting that you don't practice as much as you play during those three weeks. If you practiced for the same amount of time that you played for those weeks (let's say about 25 hours a week), then playing those weeks would not be a "shock" to your embouchre and would be like nothing.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: Wes 
Date:   2003-04-16 08:33

Try the long tone exercises of the Robert Spring warmup as can be found somewhere on the internet. Good luck!

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2003-04-16 13:46

Sarah -

See the exercise I posted at http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=92685&t=92638 . People may look at you funny, but it's better than not being able to play well.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: ron b 
Date:   2003-04-16 18:04

Sarah - do I... (mis)understand your question?

Some responders seem, to me, to understand that you're on tour playing the horn and have blown you chops out. I, however, 'think' you mean you go on tour doing vocals with the chorus and while you're on tour you're not practicing the clarinet. When you return to your normal routine after two to three weeks of singing performances (on the road) you find your clarinet embouchure has gotten somewhat out of shape.

In my experience, three weeks away from playing is not a long 'break' at all for a serious player... as you obviously are. If that's the situation, just noodle and tootle and play some long tones and pieces you like when you get back to playing. It'll come back surprisingly fast. In fact, I doubt anyone other than you would notice any difference at all in your playing.

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: psychotic_clarinet_chica 
Date:   2003-04-16 18:11

You're talking about singing on tour, right? If that's the case, then maybe just take your mouth piece with you and some reeds and squeak around some on that while you're on tour.

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: SarahKing 
Date:   2003-04-16 20:39

ron b, thank you for correctly interpreting my somewhat sporadic post! as you say, I am not able to bring my clarinet on tour while I'm touring for chorus! you know, it's not easy being as multitalented as I am, but I try to keep up with all of the gifts God has blessed me with! Actually, I'm an athiest. Ich bin eine super-duper klarinette spieler und ein gutes zinger, ja, das stimmt! all you german speakers know what I'm talking about! well, I would like to thank you for all your responses! au revoir (yes, I'm multi-instrumental and multi-lingual!)



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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: Benni 
Date:   2003-04-16 20:56

"Klarinettespielerin" (oder "Klarinetterin") und "Sängerin"

. . . and both are "die" words, so your "eine" is correct, but you'd probably want to add an 'e' to "super-duper," and it's "eine gute Sängerin."

(eh, sorry, are we not supposed to corect people's spelling?)  ;)



Post Edited (2003-04-16 21:58)

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: ron b 
Date:   2003-04-17 00:16

OK. (how'dwedothis?) Liebe Sarakingsuperedupereklarinettespielerin,

Das ist mir egal, was die andere sagen. Nun... als Sie gleischseitig singen, sprechen u. spielen, dann wird Sie doch bei mir eine Genie***.

[cool]


***Dear SaraKing, super duper clarinetplayerlady,
It doesn't matter to me what others say. Now... if you're able to sing, speak and play simultaneously - then surely, to me, you're a Genius!



Post Edited (2003-04-17 05:54)

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: Henry 
Date:   2003-04-17 00:17

Oder "Klarinettiste" oder "Klarinettistin"??? Was ist es?
Henry



Post Edited (2003-04-17 01:19)

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: Benni 
Date:   2003-04-17 00:41

Henry -
Ich denke, dass es "Klarinetterin" würde, weil viele deutsche Wörter, die Jobs sind, "er"-Ende haben. (Die "-in" ist feminine, natürlich.)

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 Re: keeping my embouchure in shape!
Author: Henry 
Date:   2003-04-17 13:30

Ja, aber ein mannlicher Klarinettespieler ist ein "Klarinettist" (Ich habe es aufgesucht), nicht ein "Klarinetter". Also.......
"Heinrich"



Post Edited (2003-04-17 15:28)

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