 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-11-06 19:38
I have recently discorvered that my embrochure and tounging are completely wrong. I was doing a wierd sort of anchor tounging, only I anchored the tip on the middle of the reed. unfortunately this affected my embrochure as well - I never needed to really have one, because my tounge supported the reed. so now I am changing everything. I am having problems in the upper register, when I either jump large intervals or tounge, everything clarion G and above wants to overblow - twice. So know I have figured out how to play nice altissmo As and Bs, but I can't seem to play any of the clarion notes. This change is also coming at a bad time, because I am in the top band and we are giving a huge concert on the 17 - the VMEA(Virginia Music Educators Association). Not to mention auditions are coming up after that, and All District. I also have just gotten a brand new R13(before I found out, and my teacher checked and said it was fine,m so those squeaks are my fault). Any advice would be appreciated. This is a pain, but I do not want to cheat and go back to the way I was doing it before. Thank You!
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Author: anonymous
Date: 2001-11-06 19:49
My advice is this... chances are you are not going to be able to fix everything by the time you have to perform in your concert and auditions. Wait until after everything is finished to start overhauling your technique. I am guessing you will sound worse in your auditions if you have not adapted to the new techniques, in the time that you have left to prepare for them.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-11-06 21:19
Why not learn some of the new playing habits without the instrument? Practice your embouchure without the instrument.
In your rehearsals and concerts, pay attention to your technique, and correct it when necessary.
As for tounging, get comfortable doing it correctly in the low register, then the clarion, then the altissimo. Start with slow quarter notes, paying attention to where you place the tip of the tongue relative to the reed, then when you can do this easily, do eighth notes, triplets, and sixteenths. Use different tempos, and practice it both on single notes and changing notes. (There is an exercise in Part 1 of the Langueus that is helpful for relearning tonguing, (don't have the book on me however), later, use Kell's 17 Staccato Studies. Incorporate correct tonguing as part of your warmup.
It won't come right away. But you will have a day when it is very easy!
Meri
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-11-06 21:59
Laura -
As anon. says, you can't really make the change in the next 11 days. You have to use what works for you for the concert. Don't worry about losing ground. Learning something new only adds to what you know how to do, and a substantial change like this will take you a month or two to get comfortable with.
I did a long post about switching from anchor tonguing to tip-to-tip tonguing. Go to http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=6899&t=6887 for a description and some exercises. I had the same problem you do, since I had been using my tongue to support my lower lip.
For your trouble playing in the various registers, good exercise is the one a referred to a couple of messages down, about evening out your tone between registers. See http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=32770&t=32692 .
Finally, you need to strengthen your embouchure to take over what you were doing with your tongue. The exercise I use is at http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=48416&t=48294 .
Courage! It will take time and effort, but you'll play a *lot* better.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Julia Meyer
Date: 2001-11-06 23:05
I have a question.... how can you tongue if your tongue is supporting your lower lip?
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-11-06 23:11
easy - try anchoring the tip of the tounge somewhere, then bring the middle section forward to toungue - the only problem I have had with it is that it is so _slow_ I couldn't do my chromatic any faster than M.M 95, on a good day. This entire thing is very annoying, I haven't squeaked on any my clarion notes since eigth grade. Thank you for the help.
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Author: Nick Conner
Date: 2001-11-07 02:32
If you are playing on hard reeds, WHEN you decide to relearn everything (which probably should be after your auditions), consider moving down a half strength or more. When I reformed my embouchure (and it involved a slight bit of suffering as my whole foundation of playing had to be rebuilt), I went from playing on 4's to 3's. While that was a drastic change, it made it impossible to bite or bunch my chin while playing. When using softer reeds, it is easier to play correctly if muscles have not been built up. With dilligent practice, the switch up to harder reeds can happen quickly, until you reach the strength right for you.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-11-07 11:20
Oh no, another change. I will talk with my teacher about the reed strength, my dad just bought five boxes of v12 (4) reeds for me, along with the new clarinet. he will not be happy if he has to buy more. I think I may have some stashed somewhere though, so I will try it. Thanks - I think the reason I am squeaking is that I am biting a little bit, but I can't seem to not bite without taking my teeth completely off the reed and double lipping. Even then I think I am relying a bit on jaw strength.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-11-07 20:46
Nick:
I too dropped down anywhere from 1/4 to a full reed strength, depending on the brand of reed in relearning embouchure. It encouraged me to relax, but I don't think I'll be going back to the harder strength.
Meri
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