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mouthpiece placement on lips?

Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-05-10 13:40

I'm working at trying to play stacatto notes faster. I've been playing with the mouthpiece centered on my bottom lip, but frequently get mini-squawks at the beginning of each stacatto note, which throws me out of synch and slows me down.

I recently noticed that if I move the mouthpiece slightly left of center, the notes sound cleanly allowing me to play faster (and sound better).

My teeth, both top and bottom, are uneven and I'm guessing that they exert a more uniform pressure at the slightly off center position.

Is anyone aware of a downside to playing with the mouthpiece slightly to one side?

It seems to work for me, but I don't want to form a bad habit if there is a downside.

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Re: mouthpiece placement on lips?

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-05-10 16:38

John -

Steve Girko, who's a fabulous player, has uneven teeth, too. He turns the mouthpiece about 15 degrees to the side.

Just make sure you do it the same every time. For more on that, see Mark Nuccio's advice at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=101441&t=101441.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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Re: mouthpiece placement on lips?

Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-05-10 17:30

Thanks Ken,

I missed your post about Mannes the first time around. It is an excellent report and contains info that should really help me to improve.

Gives me plenty to work on. I love this BB. Thanks again.

John

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Re: mouthpiece placement on lips?

Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-05-10 19:36

Kenny G does it too...

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Re: mouthpiece placement on lips?

Author: marcia
Date: 2004-05-10 21:46

Yes Kenny does, but so do some GOOD players! I play with the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble. We recently had the pleasure of playing a wind arrangement of the T-bone concerto. The soloist was the principal trombone of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and his mouthpiece is slighly off centre. It did not hinder him in the slightest!

Marcia

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