 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alfred
Date: 2008-06-17 06:25
I study privately, and I play in various bands (what with school and honor clinics), and my teacher recently noticed that I have a tendency when I play to "choke" my sound. He notes that when a play, a very audible gurgling/straining is present. He judges a very high level youth band, and so he says that it's to the point where I'd start having points deducted because said gurgling is very distracting!
I'm wondering if it's just me, because I've got chronic bronchitis, and so I sometimes have difficulty breathing, due to a blocked airway. I doubt it's this, however because when he notes that I'm doing this, I'm sometimes able to "open" up my sound and my tone improves tremendously. However, when I do "open" my sound and blow properly, I become very light-headed. I think it may be that I'm not used to taking a deep enough breath, because I have a tendency to take a very quick breath, even at the beginning of a piece, or because I'm raising the back of my tongue too high.
It's a serious problem for me because the aforementioned choking sound causes me to be EXTREMELY sharp (20+ cents), and it makes me sound very, very timid and uncomfortable. It also makes going over the altissimo break, a hell.
Help would be much appreciated.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-06-17 08:12
Hmm. I suspect you already went through some mouthpiece/reed shuffling, haven't you? You might want to look for a combo that requires less air so that you don't have to pinch in order to get a sound.
Our vice director is conducting a choir and says that singing has a beneficial effect on wind playing, as you learn to open your throat and to properly breathe.
--
Ben
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2008-06-17 13:50
I feel pretty safe in saying that you are a tense player.
(tension is implicit in the descriptor 'choked')
So, with help from your teacher, you need to find a way to relax. And taking air to the bottom of your lungs, which will help stop throat tension. Speak to your teacher.
To prevent the really quick breath, breathe in time
i.e. think - 1 2 3 breathe, play.
Unless it is really unusual (again your teacher will help determine this), I think it is counterproductive to change your set-up. Change how you are playing.
Post Edited (2008-06-17 13:54)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-17 14:58
Alfred, it could be a number of things but from experience I think it is obvious that you are choking. Probably from controlling the air with your throat or upper chest rather than your diagram. You mentioned that maybe you place your tongue to high sometimes, that’s a possibility too since you then have to force the air through a smaller air passage. The back of your tongue should not be any higher than your upper molars and the front should not be so high as to close of the air passage. Opening your throat is of major importance, all the time. You need to always have the air passage free of obstruction. Pull the lower molars down to help feel an opened throat and try to get the feeling of yawning. You can’t quite play with your throat that opened but that will give you a good idea of an opened throat. The other thing is to breath low so your diaphragm muscles do the work and not your upper chest for throat.
Practice breathing lying down. Relax yourself completely and take slow deep breaths. It’s a good idea to place a book on your stomach so you can see it raise and fall as you take the air in and let it out. It’s very difficult to breath wrong from your upper chest while lying down. Once you get the feeling in your head sit up and copy the feeling of the slow, full low breathing. Do this often, 2-3 times a day for as long as it takes for it to become natural. You have to take the air in and release it without tension. Good luck, ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 (Listen to a little Mozart)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-06-17 16:26
Without your clarinet practice relaxing your throat when you breathe out. Take a deep breath (as deep as you can) and slowly release it without pushing several times using an O shape with your lips. Then take a deep breath and push the air out smoothly and completely. Do this each day before practicing your instrument. Then when you pick up your instrument repeat the exercise, but do it through your instrument.
Relax, relax, relax. As a former asthesmetic I understand there is always a bit of "panic" in the mind about breathing, but trust me...this will work.
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