 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2014-12-13 03:22
I try to (and do most days) practice every day for at least an hour. There are days, however, that I just don't have time for even that length of practice time, but if I don't practice every day, it seems my embouchure quickly goes to pot.
I was wondering, on the days I don't have much time to practice, if it wouldn't be well to practice with a reed that's a 1/2 step too hard; i.e., instead of my normal #3, use a 3-1/2. I try a 3-1/2 now and then, but after about 5 minutes, I can no longer hack it. I only need to rest a couple of minutes though, and I can go maybe another 5 minutes on the harder reed, etc.
Anyway, I hope you get the point. Seems to me if I could practice with a harder reed than I'm used to, I could practice for a shorter period when I need to and still keep my embouchure up. I appreciate your advice.
CarlT
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-12-13 03:39
I don't think the embouchure works that way, just stick with the strength that your embouchure can comfortably handle.
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Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2014-12-13 04:51
With the exception of beginners who's embouchure are still forming, reed strength is not a function of skill. It has to do with your mouthpiece facing, tip opening, as well as your anatomy and style of playing. I enjoy how Mark Nuccio phrases it, (forgive my paraphrasing) "Play the softest reed you can, that still enables you to make artistic decisions" So as long as #3 reeds are allowing you to access the full range of the clarinet, and are not too soft to create a good sound in all registers, then stick to them if they are working for you.
Practicing on a reed thats too hard for your setup won't increase your endurance, but it may cause bad habits to form such as biting.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-12-13 13:48
Absolute agreement with above advice. You don't achieve anything by using an "improper" strength reed except the confirmation that it is the WRONG strength for you.
The embouchure is an animal onto itself. I see it as a series of isometric exercises amongst the muscles of the lips and amongst the muscles surrounding the lips (lower lip, muscles below lower lip, cheek muscles, upper lip, muscles above upper lip). So strengthening these muscles is a matter of USING them (serious practice is two to three hours a day, with that meaning 50 minutes solid practice, 10 minute break, repeat......every single day - no 'time off' for weekends).
With that said, I would hasten to add that I firmly believe the embouchure is NOT the area of greatest focus to your sound, but it is rather using your air correctly (pushing actively from the core).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2014-12-13 18:56
Okay, it's unanimous. I won't use the harder reed just for embouchure strengthening.
Re Paul's "two to three hours a day" practice regimen: I've been playing for over 6 years now, and I'm in a local community band, holding my own, and doing quite well if I do say so; however, I don't plan to ever do it for a living, so about an hour a day is all I'm able to practice and still have a life (and a wife ;^).
If I wanted to do more with the clarinet than what I'm already doing, I agree with Paul that I'd have to practice a lot more (as others on the BB have pointed out, it takes about 10,000 hours of practice to get really good at playing an instrument).
My goal was never to get to a harder reed just for the sake of it; it was to help strengthen my lips, so I get that part.
I suppose one way to strengthen my otherwise "weak" embouchure is just to play more minutes on the days I have time to do so with my trusty #3 reeds, and maybe that would balance out the days I don't have much practice time.
Thanks a lot fellows. I always appreciate your helpful advice.
CarlT
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-12-13 22:01
beg to differ..
if you use harder reed use it for 5-10min to practice long tones, then switch to regular for the rest of the practice.
Also you can exercise muscles w/o clarinet by forming an embouchure and holding a pen. If pen is thick enough (Sharpie?) you can create air pressure and make sure the lips seal. Another variation: try to control pen, draw air pictures, write characters, etc.
If you do pen exercise do not make it too long: it is better to do 5min x6 times a day than one 30min.
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