 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-02-07 23:58
Often when I play, just slurring everything with no articulation whatsoever, I feel as though my tongue is tied-up/stuck/immobile. I don't even start to move it yet, but it feels heavy. It feels like if I tried to move it, it would take a lot of effort. It's a weird feeling.
Has anyone experienced this? Am I tensing up the tongue?
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2005-02-08 23:40
I don't remember having experienced this particular problem, but yes it does sound like you are tensing up your tongue. Your tongue is not independent of the rest of your body so chances are there is sympathetic tension. Try and reduce your body tensions.
As someone who has been through a multitude of tonguing problems and survived them, I really think you need to relax. When playing, think of an 'eee' syllable as this will direct the air towards the reed/mouthpiece. Once you have established a stable air stream, the reed will vibrate consistently enough to let your tongue touch very lightly to interrupt the sound. Also the 'eee' syllable should (unless you have an unusually large or small tongue) keep the tongue in a position fairly close to the reed.
Your tongue works. It works everyday when you speak to people. I doubt your tongue gets tense when you speak. So keep a focussed airstream, maintain your embouchure (which will help maintain the focussed airstream) and then introduce your tongue. There are a number of exercises for tonguing already posted on the board, if you don't already have something to work on.
This is what has worked for me.
Hope it helps
Alex
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Author: hartt
Date: 2005-02-08 23:48
the tongue is a muscle
RELAX THE TONGUE
stay focused
regards
dennis
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Author: rbell96
Date: 2005-02-09 18:32
Think about your tounge coming away from the reed rather than attacking the reed with your tounge for staccato. I find this always helps me when I think about it.
Rob
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Author: nickma
Date: 2005-02-10 13:27
...and open up your throat and get the feeling of an open, relaxed throat, which gives the impression of a little bit more room to operate in!
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