 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carolyn
Date: 1999-01-31 06:19
Recently, I have started leaking air from the corners of my mouth while playing on my Vandoren B45. (dot) When I asked my teacher about it, she said it was just because my embouchere is finally correct, and that a little leaking was fine. However, I remember a few questions about leaking on the Board before, and I got the impression it was a bad thing.
Could someone please clarify?
Thank, Carolyn
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Author: SeAn
Date: 1999-01-31 09:49
I leak out air from the corner of my mouth too(sometimes)
I think its one way of relieveing some pressure off the lower lip .After subjecting that part of the lip to constant vibration from the reed, it could be tiring.
I think that as long as you are aware about it and the hissing sound cant be heard from the concert stage, its okay.
some pple may feel otherwise abt this.
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 1999-01-31 14:31
I have a B-45 Lyre and sometimes leak air, also, especially when I get tired. I posted something about that a while ago. I recently recorded myself, and found that I could not hear the air leak on tape, so, it's fortunately one of those things you hear more behind the horn but not in front of it.
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Author: Brandon
Date: 1999-01-31 16:19
I agree that while others may say it is incorrect, a little probably will not hurt. My teacher claims that it is bad because that air could get more use making music. I played bass clarinet last summer and had to get used to the soprano embouchure(sp?). After getting used to that big mouthpiece, I had to get used to the smaller one again. So I still leak some air, especially in the higher ranges.
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Author: Amy
Date: 1999-01-31 21:39
I've leaked air out of my mouth for a while, and a lot of the time I don't even realize it. People have to tell me I'm doing it. My teacher doesn't discourage me from doing it as long as my sound isn't affected. I don't think it hurts as long as no one can hear the hissing. Be careful if your in really quiet, closed quarters, because that's where its the most noticeable and could sound offensive to people.
Amy
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Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-01-31 23:42
I don't leak air, but I'm not much of a clarinetist either.
I just started lessons and my teacher claims that it helps or happens when you play pianissimo, with good support.
Ginny
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Author: Carrie
Date: 1999-02-01 03:46
I'm sorry to say that your teacher is wrong. Leaking air is not a sign of a proper embouchure. Infact, when you leak air out of the corners of your mouth, it is usually an indicator that you embouchure is not yet fully developed.
The muscles used to form a proper embouchure are those surrounding your mouth, which should form a seal around the mouthpiece. Though little bottom lip pressure is used, there does need to be some to create the seal. Leaking air can be stopped by tightening the corners of your mouth around the mouthpiece, and also by making certain that your upper lip muscles are fully developed. I hope that this helps.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-01 11:59
Carrie wrote:
-------------------------------
I'm sorry to say that your teacher is wrong. Leaking air is not a sign of a proper embouchure. Infact, when you leak air out of the corners of your mouth, it is usually an indicator that you embouchure is not yet fully developed.
Yet some of the finest players in the world leak a bit of air. It's a relative thing.
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Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-02-01 18:53
I've studied under two Detroit Symphony clarinetists - one leaks air (or used to anyway) the other doesn't. The amount of air leaked, if any, should be small. I used to leak some air from the corners of my mouth - and did for years. Now, I've put a LOT of time into improving my embouchure and I no longer experience the air leak. My personal opinion is that good embouchures may leak some air but better embouchures don't.
Consider it a milestone in embouchure development. You are most likely leaking air due to good "vertical" formation of your embouchure (concentrating on the lower lip and chin and possibly the upper lip). When you use that as a foundation then begin concentrating on more "circular" pressure all around the mouthpiece, the air leaks will most likey cease.
On further note: a lot of players leak air because they have been taught "smile" to form an embouchure. This stretches the lower lip but brings the corners *away* from the mouthpiece. If you work on "closing the corners" with the upper lip, you will eventually develop the upper lip muscles (a good thing) and do away with the air leak. You might also try a "double lip" embouchure for awhile (which I won't go into here).
Kevin Bowman
Clarinet & Saxophone Instructor,
Rochester Conservatory of Music, Rochester, MI
and
Saxophones, Clarinet, & Keys,
B-Side Blues Project
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-01 23:26
Kevin Bowman wrote:
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I've studied under two Detroit Symphony clarinetists - one leaks air (or used to anyway) the other doesn't.
Actually - the one that leaks air does so audibly on altissimo notes - from the dress circle at Symphony Hall I've heard him leak!
However, I heard him playing last summer at ClarinetFest - and no leakage whatsoever in that setting.
Say Hi to Ted for me next time you see him :^)
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-02-02 01:42
I found that I started leaking air the first time that I changed my embouchure to a more correct position. My teacher at the time explained to me that the muscles of my cheeks were being used correctly, but weren't strong enough yet, so they'd leak until they got into shape. This may be what your teacher meant. Now that I've come closer to perfecting my embouchure, I do see a leak as a flaw, because I've heard myself play with and without leaks and prefer the sound without. However, I think that a leaky stage is probably necessary. Keep working on long tones and concentrate on keeping your cheeks firm, and see what happens.
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Author: Jeanna
Date: 1999-02-03 02:38
I recently had a discussion about "air-leakage" with my current and very recent teacher, John Bruce Yeh. I started leaking when I was using more air, and I was always told that it wasn't a big deal. I was always very distressed over it. John feels that there is no need to leak air, and that it is in fact a waste of air and proof that you are not focusing your air properly. Ever since I have focused my air with the "ee" I have no problem with air leakage. It is truly amazing how this one thing can help, and I get through phrases that I never could make before. Just figured I'd share.
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Author: Ray Swing
Date: 1999-02-03 19:36
I believe I have a reasonably good embouchure and the only time I leak any air is when my embouchure becomes very fatigued. I don't believe it's good practice to leak any air ever. In my opinion, a good embouchure will not leak at all.
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Author: connie
Date: 1999-02-03 19:51
It's amazing to me how much controversy this generates. I developed an air leak in high school, but neither my teacher at the time nor the subsequent one in college ever commented. Lately, I was working with one of our local symphony musicians (after having switched to a Rovner Eddie Daniels ligature), and he commented that this was NOT good, and even more noticeable with the new ligature. I think it's like squeaky fingers on the guitar--if it distracts the listener from the music, it can't be desirable. If I concentrate, I can make it go away, but it's been such a habit for so long that I'm finding it hard to change. I'm sorry I was allowed to let it slide for so long!
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Author: Carolyn
Date: 1999-02-05 03:54
Thank you, everyone, for the opinions...although now I have even more to consider.
I agree that I don't like the sound, but since it doesn't pop up all the time I'm going to start having to pay attention to my embouchere a little more.
Thanks again.
Carolyn
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Author: RosewoodClarinet
Date: 2005-07-04 17:02
I played 1st clarinet on Dvorak serenade last year. It was recorded. When I got a CD of it, I was surprised how much I hear air noise from my playing. My teacher also notice my air leakage. Once I fix this, he notice so much improvement on my sound.
RosewoodClarinet
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Author: marcia
Date: 2005-07-04 17:15
I have heard some very fine players leaking air. I found it very distracting. There are occasions when I leak air myself and I always regard it as something that needs to be corrected.
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-07-04 18:44
Listening to many players in masterclasses as well as performances at the OU Clarinet Symposium, the #1 biggest distraction to the music was leaking air. I could not stand to listen to it. While I know I do it myself, I have been trying hard not to, and I am teaching my students not to, because I heard so much of it at the Symposium that I vowed that I would not let myself do it.
Perhaps it IS an indication of good air support, but I think a firmer embouchure (at least firmer in the upper lip) would help your playing.
-Tyler
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-07-04 21:54
I only leak air when my mouth muscles are extremely tired (Doing long tones for 10 minutes is where I notice it mainly) or if my reed is too hard for me. Is this normal?
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Author: joannew
Date: 2005-07-05 19:43
words of advice from the clarinettist I was playing 2nd to:
the air is more useful when it goes THROUGH the instrument!
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-07-06 06:23
to answer the question imho: bad.
Exactly as Joannew says, It's better for the air to go through the instrument than get wasted.
Every single teacher or masterclass person I've ever had has commented how it is incorrect to leak air. That includes the principal in Pittsburgh, the principal in the Army Field Band, the ass. principal in the Navy Band, a former tour soloist with the Air Force Band, et al. Point made.
But Mark said it best, it's all relative. I happen to hate the sound and find it rediculously distracting. I don't know of too many people who "enjoy" hearing leaky lips.
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Author: RosewoodClarinet
Date: 2005-07-09 20:32
I am getting a sense of air leak which has to do with sealing of red part of lip where touching side of mouthpiece. Somehow, lip is not sealing well enough into the side of mouthpiece so that the air cannot go into the instrument. This is about embouchure, I think. My lips are little loosen.....
I have been taught that the concept of embouchure is combination of "ee" and "uu." Probably, little lack of "uu" is causing air leak.
RosewoodClarinet
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-07-09 22:16
ee-uu. I like it. (but I suppose the success of this sort of comunication depends on dialect)
Ee under the reed, and uu at the sides. Perhaps some players never develop their uu muscles.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-10 01:12
Leaking Air is fine, as long as it isn't heard on a recording
And the top Military guys while they are very good players - take lessons with guys who do leak air.
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