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 Embochure help
Author: Amber Schumacher 
Date:   2000-05-28 23:12

I am a recent college graduate and with all the moving around and such, I have neglected my poor clarinet. Even since I've started again, my embochure isn't necessarily weak, but there is air escaping from my corners that I can't seem to control. Has anyone else experienced this? If you have suggestions or a similiar experience, please write back.

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 RE: Embochure help
Author: Fred 
Date:   2000-05-28 23:27

You didn't say how long your layoff had been. My GUESS is that "in your prime", you had moved up to a stiffer reed than you can handle now. Try dropping down a bit and see if that doesn't help.

On a side note, unless you are to be in music performance, you have entered into a different realm of playing. Now you are playing to please you . . . the sound you want and the music you want. It may well be different than your previous playing experience. I am moving away from the controlled "dark" (sorry, Mark!) sound toward a bit brighter jazz sound. There are no concerti in my future, just some pretty cool contempory church music. Feel free to explore your options. And HAVE FUN!!

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 RE: Embochure help
Author: earl thomas 
Date:   2000-05-29 01:00

I believe anyone who's not played for awhile will have air escaping from the corners after a short time of playing. The suggestion about finding a "freer" (softer) reed is a very wise one, indeed. There's nothing you can do to strengthen those weaken facial muscles except playing for a very few minutes, without air escaping, and then resting for a short time to get oxygen back into embouchure areas. A concious effort to stretch the upper lip over the mouthpiece will place more flesh in the way of escaping air, and in addition, 'twill raise the soft palate and give you a bigger sound. Trying to "smile" or otherwise pinch is not the way to play! All the very best to you. ET

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 RE: Embochure help
Author: Bob Gardner 
Date:   2000-05-29 01:45

try playing with just the mouthpiece and barrel. Try blowing until you get a nice sound. You will have to adjust the reed and the lig a few times. After this put the rest togeather and try again.
Peace

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 RE: Embochure help
Author: William 
Date:   2000-05-30 14:51

In addition to Fred's very good advice, try starting your next practice seesion by playing double-lip embrochure for a short while and see if the leaks disappear.

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