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Beginner question - tonguing

Author: Chris C
Date: 2006-02-24 23:41

Hi all,

Firstly, thanks to everybody for the all the great posts I've read here over the past couple of days. Some very handy and interesting information.

Please brace yourselves for a small flurry of dumb newbie questions. I have been using the search function (with some great results) but sometimes new posters just wants to put their own angle on a question. So please be patient with me if I ask the same old chestnuts again. Here's the first question:

Tonguing.

I started clarinet last month, using books to learn from. So I am still getting the hang of what is important, and how much emphasis to put on each aspect of playing.

I discovered recently that I had overlooked tonguing completely. I guess I was doing some kind of throat thing to start and stop notes when needed. I've been told that this is more tiring in the long run. So I've started trying to tongue. Two problems appeared:

1) It sounds very noticeable. Think "hippo crashing through jungle" at the start of each note.

2) After a short time the clarinet feels like it's been played by a labrador. Off the scale on the drool meter.

I guess that the old eight letter answer is appropriate here (PRACTICE), but any tips would be appreciated. I was once told "Practice doesn't make perfect it makes permanent, so make sure that what you practice is correct".

Is it likely that my tonguing will automatically get quieter, less obtrusive and less labradoresque as I progress? Or are there particular things to look at?

And how important is it to master? Would it be wicked, wrong and foolish to
press on with playing my usual way (which sounds OK and seems comfortable) and just devote a bit of practice time specifically to tonguing each day? Or is it a case of "Stop right now! Henceforth thou shalt never play again without tonguing!" ??

I am strictly an "armchair musician" with no ambitions to play in bands or orchestras. And as I'll be 60 this year I'm keen to be able to bang out a few cheery tunes before the Reaper gets me. Full mastery of all the bells and whistles is not really required.

Any tips or comments gratefully received.

Cheers,

Chris

Currently residing at The Mundaring Home for the Musically Bewildered

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Beginner question - tonguing new

Chris C

2006-02-24 23:41