 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: srattle
Date: 2009-10-10 19:20
I just want to get your opinions on this.
I realize that I play with an uneven embouchure. I have my mouthpiece slightly to my left of my mouth.
I am quite happy with how I play clarinet, the sound I produce and the response I get. I have noticed from videos that Leister also seems to have a slightly uneven embouchure.
So, my question is, firstly, why do you think this has happened?
I don't feel anything uneven about it, and I imagine I have been playing this way for years, but I only can notice it when looking in the mirror.
secondly, do you think I might be somehow not getting the most out of my playing?
One of the principle trumpets from the Berlin phil plays out of the corner of his mouth, and he's an excellent player. . . Are there other woodwind players who are like this?
Thanks
Sacha
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2009-10-10 19:28
Hi Sacha,
As you would predict from me :-) try a more symmetrical embouchure, and SEE IF IT HELPS. If it doesn't, then don't worry about it.
Hope things are well with you, as always.
Tony
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-10-10 20:15
I have a student (12th grade and she's studied with me since she was in 6th grade) who also has an uneven embouchure. Her band director in middle school had wanted her to have a more symmetrical embouchure, and I was a little concerned for a while, but _for her_ it works. We've tried centering the clarinet in her mouth but I suspect her musculature is just not as symmetrical as most (not that anyone is 100% symmetrical at all!).
Tony, as always, has the perfect advice. If you attempt to play differently and it does not improve your sound, then why change just for the sake of change?
I'm also working on a similar "if it ain't broke don't fix it" issue with another student as far as tonguing. I'm having a hard time justifying "making" him tongue on the reed instead of the roof of his mouth because he's not as good yet at tonguing on the reed, so it does not sound better (yet).
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2009-10-10 20:54
It's possible that your teeth aren't absolutely symmetrical, which will have a considerable effect on where the mouthpiece feels comfortable. If the only problem it's causing is how it looks in a mirror, leave it alone.
Karl
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2009-10-10 21:10
My arms are a bit short ... matter of fact so is the rest of me
But I play the clarient slightly to the right in my embouchure. I also do this on A clarinet and straight soprano sax. If I didn't do that then I feel as if I'm stretching my Right arm & hand to play.
It just makes playing, overall, a bit more comfortable. I've practiced with it straight and I feel that I really can't hear any difference in the tonal quality. But then, I've been doing this for several decades too.
fyi, my teeth are fine too. I just put it to the overall length of my arms and feeling comfortable while playing.
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
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Author: srattle
Date: 2009-10-10 22:24
Tony,
I have tried playing with it even. Of course I've tried this, but as I have obviously been training my muscles for the last x years to play this way, when I try playing 'even' one side of my embouchure is much too firm, and the other side is comparatively week. Sounds terrible.
What I'm wondering is if this might have some serious negative side affects, and if I should try training myself for a more 'normal' embouchure. I think it would take a lot of work, since I generally have more muscles on one side of my face than the other, and also possibly from my teeth.
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