 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-01-27 21:55
I'm having a chair test this week, and I want to stay section leader. My band director gave us some scales and scale patterns that the test will be over. He also said "the faster the better." How can I get the exercixes faster? Also, besides double tounging, how can I learn to tounge it faster?
Thanks, Amanda
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-01-27 22:04
Amanda -
The key to tonguing faster is to make the smallest, lightest movements you can. A good way to learn to do this is to practice moving the tip of your tongue past the tip of the reed, and MISSING it. Then gradually move closer until you're barely grazing the reed.
For more, see http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=32780&t=32715
At your audition, take the band director's advice and play only as fast as you can do it cleanly. In fact, it will help to take it slightly slower than your best speed, to make sure it's clean. The worst that can happen is that the director will tell you to play it again, faster, and then you will already have had a chance to practice it the first time.
Finally, remember that as the section leader, you've already proved you can play faster than the people below you. Keep it perfect and you'll do great.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-28 00:31
Wow Ken. I never thought of visualizing or trying it like that. I always sort of used my tongue as though pronouncing the letter "t" like "t-t-t-t-t-t". But I admit your idea sounds a lot easier with a lot less work involved. And you're right. It is very little movement (a lot less than what I do right now). Looks like the BBoard helps me out once again. Thanks.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-01-28 00:39
Ken's the best! My Italian teacher.....Anthony Russo with the Houston Symphony always yelled "NO TONGUE TIE.....NO TONGUE TIE!" He'd then show me with a pencil how to lightly touch the reed.....and pick up his Buffet and (even at 80 something) play so lightly I couldn't believe this man was still breathing.....He was wonderful.
JG
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2004-01-28 03:14
Instead of doing a "T-t-t-t-t" tongue movement, I try to make sort of a "da-da-da-da-da" movement. I kind of imagine that the moving air is making my tongue flap.
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"You have to play just right to make dissonant music sound wrong in the right way"
Post Edited (2004-01-28 11:20)
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-01-29 01:45
Ok...so now the problem is that i can tounge the notes fast enough, I just can't play it very fast. How can i get my fingers to move around my instrumet easier???
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-01-29 12:42
Look up the "fast fingers" or "prepared fingers" technique. Practice VERY slowly, and move your fingers well in advance of the next note you are going to play. As you dial up the speed, you will find much greater precision.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-01-29 14:15
Amanda -
There are two things to think about: increasing your finger speed in general, and working out difficult passages.
Speeding things up in general comes fairly slowly, as you "engrave" the finger movements into your muscular memory. You can help it along by practicing scales and arpeggios, which teach you patterns that appear constantly.
You can only get so far on a difficult passage by playing over and over. You have to break it down into smaller units -- starting with just two notes at a time. See my posting at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=24907&t=24731 .
Give it a try and let us know how you're doing.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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