 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: potatohead
Date: 2004-05-07 00:51
When I am at lessons, then I can get a good tone-- 20 minutes into my 45 minute lesson. It's really frustrating and my teacher is starting to get fed up with me. The worst part about it is, when I get home try to fix whatever I'm doing wrong, it never come off well. Like today, I was having trouble tonguing with the tip of my tongue, and if I did that, then I would get a good tone. I've tried, and I can't tongue with the tip. I know I need to to get a good tone. I am tonguing with the middle of my tongue, a.k.a. anchor tonguing. I know you guys say it is a long process, but I can fix and and keep it fixed for about 20 minutes until I forget. Before, I'd be able to tongue with the tip at home, but for the past week, it's been near impossible. I don't know what to do. What suggestions do you have? Also, could rising stress levels cause some problems?
-MG
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2004-05-07 05:16
I understand (from when I was young) what you are going through.
Two things: 1.)you would like good tone and 2.) articulate with the tip of your tongue.
Both ideas are inter-dependant and separated.
I once anchor-tongued.
If the maximum amount of time that you can practice tonguing and producing sound correctly is 15-20 minutes...then you practice for that amount of time.
take a 15-30 minute break and start again.
You have to concentrate on reforming the old habit...and taking breaks when your focus wains.
The slow but steady process wins the race...this change in your fundamental habit is simply TIME OVER TASK. Don't expect miracles over night...but unerstand that you will solve this problem (with your teacher's help) faster than you thought possible.
jt
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: AB
Date: 2004-05-07 13:07
Frustrating though it may be, anchor tounguing is definitely something that takes a while to overcome. Honestly, I would say it took two years before I completely got rid of the habit. Of course, I would revert to it whenever there was a 'hard part' in band because I couldn't play it without anchor tounguing (which looking back sounds insane), so it probably took me longer than it should have. It was definitely the most frustrating part of my 'relearning how to play' process in which I started taking private lessons in 10th grade after playing for 5 years...
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-07 14:32
I would do some searches for "anchor tongue" and possibly "anchor tongue Ken Shaw" or "tonguing Ken Shaw", etc. etc. He had a REALLY great post on how to learn to tongue correctly and a great exercise for it. I'll try to sum it up here quickly . . .
In a nutshell (although you should read the post because I may forget a detail or two) tonguing is much easier when said with the "la" syllable instead of a "ta". Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and start putting air though the instrument. Make the "la" movement (tongue hitting the roof of your mouth) BEHIND the reed (so you're not yet forward enough to hit the reed). Slowly! Then slowly move your tongue forward until the tip of your tongue touches the tip of the reed. Make sure it's hitting the reed and not closing off the gap of the mouthpiece. Practice doing this a little bit each day, make a conscious effort to continue this while practicing going faster and faster as you can CLEANLY. And eventually it'll be a habit. And a great one at that.
Alexi
PS - I'm about 90% sure it was Ken Shaw that posted that exercise. Or GBK. I'd give you the exact link of my internet was working at home and I was on my own computer (stupid ISP)
US Army Japan Band
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