 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2004-09-29 17:18
Hello. I have been playing clarinet for about six years, and what a wonderful instrument it is indeed. However, I do have a slight problem. I play on a Buffet E12 with those Vandoren 56 rue lepic 3,5 reeds and when I play for any considerable amount of time, say, over half an hour, I find that I bite through my bottom lip. This happens no matter how hard I bite or what angle I use. Even using softer reeds doesn't help and they make my playing sound, I believe the official scientific term is, "fugly."
At any rate, this condition is somewhat disgusting and rather painful as well. Any advice that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.
On an unrelated note, I recently purchased one of those hotly disputed First Act clarinets from my local Wal Mart Supercenter, and I am quite pleased with it. It has a very nice tone in the chaleumeau notes, though it weakens in the clarion and altissimo registers and is harsher than my Buffet. If it ever ceases to function, however, I suppose I could make one of those smashing lamps.
[ Post retitled for clarity - GBK ]
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-09-29 17:25
Gah! You bought one of those??? You're only encouraging them, you know!
You need to use more air, and think at your fingers. If any of your attention is focused at your mouth, you might bite. Rather, treat your clarinet as if your fingers are drawing the sound out, and your mouth is just a checkpoint. Also, try getting a box of Gonzalez 3 1/2, V12 3 or 3 1/2, or Rue Lepic 3.5+. I've found the Rue Lepic 3.5 to be a bit "blah" and blow out pretty fast (though it's not exactly a scientific observation).
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-09-29 18:41
Alex's reed recommendations might be good- for HIS mouthpiece! What mouthpiece are YOU using? The reed strength should really be matched to the facing of your mouthpiece. Tell us what mouthpiece you're using and we'll recommend appropriate reeds.
I always find the advice to "use more air" misleading. I've found that the best clarinet tone comes from using the least amount of air possible, which allows your body to act as a resonance chamber for your sound. What you need is air PRESSURE, which doesn't mean blowing as hard as possible into the instrument. Think of the type of blowing you would us to warm your hands on a cold day. Avoid the kind of blowing that you would use to blow out a candle.
It could be that your bottom teeth are very sharp. If this is the case, then you could fold some cigarette paper over your teeth to take the sharpness away, or have a thin plastic tooth cover made by your dentist.
Or perhaps you are just in the habit of biting. Many people recommend double lip embouchure (folding the top lip over the top teeth) to remedy this. But if the problem lies with your set-up, and you do have sharp teeth, then you'll probably just end up biting through your top lip as well! In any case, it's worth looking into.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-29 18:55
I don't advocate using "warm air" speed for playing at all.
That's for the Saxophone, not the Clarinet. The Clarinet uses pretty fast air.
I would suspect that the player is playing reeds which are too hard and having to bite to make them vibrate. He's muscling the reed too much thus biting a hole in his lip. Increasing the air speed and lessening the lip pressure will give a better sound without the biting.
Play for a teacher and have him/her evaluate your personal situation - no way to really know what you are doing w/your setup without hearing it live.
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Author: sbbishop
Date: 2004-09-29 19:10
A quick question Jacob. You say you have been playing for six years.
Have you been biting your lip and bleeding for this length of time?
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2004-09-29 20:23
Unfortunately yes. I thought it might just be something that happned to people at first but as time went on I lost my conviction in that.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-09-29 20:40
"I don't advocate using "warm air" speed for playing at all.
That's for the Saxophone, not the Clarinet. The Clarinet uses pretty fast air"
It depends how you want it to sound. Using an air speed that is too fast kills the harmonics and produces a "thin" sound.
Celeborn- there are a few different Premiere models by Hite, I think. Which strength reeds are you currently using, and which Premiere model do you have?
I would second DavidBlumberg's advice on going to a teacher for help.
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Author: sbbishop
Date: 2004-09-29 20:51
Jacob,
I have a few suggestions.
1. Use some protective covering on your lower teeth.
2. Have a dentist make a thin 'tooth guard' for the above.
3. If your teeth are sharp, have the dentist file the sharp points off.
Do you leave tooth marks on your MP?
Are you self-taught?
Sorry for all the questions, but the more info. we have, the better we can look at the problem.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-09-29 20:52
One often-recommended exercise to control biting is to play with a double-lip embouchure for a while - at least in practice. Usually, if you have sufficient embouchure support on the sides of the mouthpiece, it's much more difficult to bite too hard.
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Author: Gardini
Date: 2004-09-29 22:13
My teacher and a professional master class teacher that I took a class from, both use cigarette paper. The master teacher was a very fine player, he said that his lip was very soft and that his teeth were very sharp. Despite years of 1000's of hours of practice he still had the problem. My lip toughens up when I am playing allot. I have heard of a clarinet player having his teeth ground down. How serious are you?
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2004-09-29 22:54
Well, as for the mouthpiece, I bought it at Sam Ash and the only markings on it are "Premiere by Hite." As for the toothmarks, I use a little cushion and there are some fairly shallow tooth marks on that. My reeds are Vendoren 56 Rue Lepic 3,5+. I don't really know if I qualify as "self taught," I've been in school orchestra and band programs since third grade but haven't really had a private instuctor persay. And, I enjoy playing a lot but I don't thing I'll have my teeth ground down! I'll give cigarette paper a try for sure though.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-29 23:31
There's zero reason why anyone would need paper unless they are biting or using reeds which are too hard.
I don't care how sharp the teeth are, nor how jaged cause Gigliotti's bottom teeth were a MESS.
He showed me his when I was whining the same story....
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-29 23:33
The Premiere is a quite open student Mouthpiece.
So yes, your reeds are too hard.
I'd actually suggest that you upgrade the Mouthpiece before changing reeds as if you get a more closed facing they will be the proper strength.
As a kid I played Mitchel Lurie Premium 5 1/2 and bit like a muther.
Used to use first aid tape folded as my cushion till Gigliotti broke me of biting.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-29 23:38
btw - for my younger students I much prefer the Fobes Debut over the Premiere.
But I use the Hite D Mouthpiece for students as the suggested upgrade to Pro.
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2004-09-30 00:17
Thank you for all your responses. I had been considering upgrading my mouthpiece already so I will look into that as well. A more closed one would be beneficial, right? Any notable ones?
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-30 03:05
There are many. I like the Hite D
There are many who like Vandorens, Pynes, etc.
Ya got to try em and find what works best for you or study with somebody who can guide you to what works best for you.
You are much better off having a teacher help you make the choice.
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Author: martind
Date: 2004-10-01 04:42
Hi Celeborn,
Yes, a great many of us have experienced the biting sore lip thing.
Much good info has been presented concerning your problem. I
have a couple of ideas you may digest to see if it helps with your
problem.
1. do not thin out your lower lip......you know the smiling thing where
you pull back the corners.
2. pull the corners in....use the draw string marble bag approach to
form a nice cushion in front of the teeth.
3. the amount of lip over the teeth will be determined by the size
of your lower lip.......use just enough and keep your chin ppointed and
flat.
4. lastly, I use the cloth surgical tape sold at most drug stores, etc.
Cut about 1 1/2 inches and double it over......then trim it into an oval
shape.
5. place it over your lower teeth and your saliva will soak into the
pad.......when you take it out, your teeth marks will be evident and dry
to fit your teeth. Trim the size as needed.
This works for me.......give it a try.
Martin
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