 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2006-08-27 19:23
While practicing a few days ago, I discovered some things that I hadn't noticed before about my playing.
For one thing, due to the backward angle of my lower front teeth, my lower lip does not actually go over the front teeth. And if I do stop and fix it so that it can go over, it is only a tiny amount which usually is unable to remain there and ends up just staying next to the teeth. I can't really do anything about it because of the angle of my teeth and the small size of my lips, but I was curious if anyone else has experienced anything like this? It's unusual to me just learning about it now. It doesn't seem to pose any problem, but I often wonder if these little differences would make a noticeable difference in my playing.
I also finally realized that when articulating, my tongue is going over the top of the reed, so the bottom part of the front of my tongue seems to be hitting the reed. I personally do not have great articulation, as you all may know from my posts in the past. It has gotten better, but still nothing significant, it's not consistent. I am wondering if that because another tooth is misplaced a bit behind the upper front teeth, blocking me from putting the mouthpiece higher behind the front teeth, if it is thus impossible for me to fix tonguing over the reed. It's very very difficult to get the front of my tongue lower to where the mouthpiece is and keep it there and tongue using the tip and the just under the tip of the reed, but perhaps it is just something I need to work on for a good thousand hours in order to break the habit.
Any thoughts on these? And anyone else had any unusual discoverings about their own playing?
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-08-27 20:24
A thought: Is it possible that there are some mouth geometries that can prevent even a most dedicated practitioner to become a good clarinet player?
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2006-08-27 20:29
That is indeed what I've been wondering. I know people play with crooked teeth and all sorts of things that differ from "the norm", but will it actually keep someone from getting better? Or, as good as they could be?
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2006-08-27 20:55
Ah, if only we had an x-ray machine to see inside everyone's mouth to figure it all out....
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2006-08-27 21:29
Having had mouth lesions caused by my meds I tried "double-lip" to avoid the irritation of my lower lip being lacerated further. I found that it did work, I could play, but I am no judge of what it really sounded like (due to double hearing aids). For lack of something else to do you might check the "search" items for "double-lip" and see if relief from your problem is possible. [I even tried it with my upper plate out but showed no one as I looked like 'Pop-Eye'--but I did play, so options are possible.]
Good luck!
Bob A
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Author: kev182
Date: 2006-08-28 07:55
I use a folded piece of paper over my lower teeth which helps alot, If it's cut from practicing or damaged.
I have very slight crooked front teeth.. barely noticeble in the front but in the back one if further than the other. It is a big problem for me and I'm going to get the tooth in the back filled down 2.5mm in about a month.
So, maybe you should consider going to a dentist and working out your problems. Bring your clarinet and mouthpiece to show what you want done.
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