 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2010-02-15 16:03
Being a hobbyist/experimenter, I like to try new things. While playing along with a tuner, I noticed that the tighter I pulled my bottom lip over my teeth, the pitch on the tuner would go higher. However, because I have embouchure dystonia, the muscles on the right side of my mouth (which are extremely weak) simply couldn't hold this position for too long.
I began to wonder if I could somehow put something between my teeth and the reed which would allow me to just wrap my lips around the mouthpiece. What came to mind was to put a narrow strip of 3mm mouthpiece patch across the reed just above the 0.0015" point (34 Erick Brand reading). (This, I believe is know as the "sweet spot".)
Because my clarinet isn't currently available, I did some testing with the mouthpiece by itself. I immediately noticed that the normally high pitch was much higher and far, far easier to obtain than I could achieve with my bottom lip pulled very tight across my teeth. I also noticed that the high pitched tone produced was done so with hardly any effort on my part and the muscles on the right side of my face felt quite relaxed.
I sense that this is not a totally new technique and would like to hear from others who have tried something similar to this.
I'm still trying to attach a photo but have been unable to do so as of yet.
Post Edited (2010-02-15 16:42)
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2010-02-15 18:23
Don, do I understand that you are placing your teeth directly on the strip of patch attached to the reed?
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2010-02-15 18:48
Yes, and the correct pitch is so easy to produce and control. Perhaps this is totally new, I don't know.
Also, by varying the density and thickness of the "patch", I believe the tone would change to some extent.
And, as an extra added bonus, perhaps this would eliminate the "sore lower lips" reported by some.
All I know is that it allows me to play with a very relaxed embouchure.
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Author: LonDear
Date: 2010-02-16 03:40
If the pitch is indeed modified, this could be the invention of the clarinet capo!
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2010-02-16 04:51
Make this out of some exotic or vintage material and sell them. Advertise that it makes the sound darker and you could really make some money.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-02-16 06:23
Another option is to put thick leather on your lower teeth. Then you could play with the leather touching the reed and the sound would still be close to the sound of your lip because it is still skin. There is still a cushion to it.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2010-02-16 13:56
Tom: LOL!!!!!!!! (I actually do have some ideas on darkening the tone, however, I first need to do some "lab testing" to see how effective they are.)
skygardener: I was thinking of something along the same line only made of rubber. The "over the teeth" inserted cushion would have the advantage of allowing the player to "move" the cushioning point along the reed until the "sweet spot" was found. It would have to be thin on the front part of the teeth so the lower lip wouldn't "bulge" out and also thin and stiff on the inside so as not to interfere with the action of the tongue.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2010-02-17 00:40
Okay, I tried this for a while. At first all I got was teeth-on-the-reed types of squawks - enough to make my dog's hair stand on end. After a while I was able to play actual notes, but they were pretty bad sounding. My dog moved to another part of the house. One might experiment with sizes and firmness of the strip. Hard to keep the adhesive working on a wet reed, too.
Dan, if this was a "made you look" type of joke, my dog has some issues with you. On the other hand, making something to fit over the teeth could have some merit, but Bailey has requested that the experiments be done elsewhere.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2010-02-17 03:11
Hi John,
I got my clarinet back today and experienced what you did. In my initial posting, I stated that I did some testing with the "mouthpiece alone" and was amazed at how easily a normal high pitch tone could be produced.
I tried doubling the patch material...same results. It appears that the mpc patch material we're using is simply too hard with the resultant squeals.
I know Runyon makes a thicker, softer mpc patch and I'll be trying that next.
Another thing that came to my mind as I was testing without the rubber patch is that quite a bit of my lower lip goes against the bottom of the reed. This "extra material" against the reed may very well prevent the squeals through some kind of dampening effect while the lower teeth are pressing against just a very narrow section of the total lip area that is against the reed.
I know this will work. It's just a matter of trial and error until a material is found that simulates the lower lip. Skygardner may very well be right as to the use of leather.
Please relay my apologies to "Bailey".
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2010-02-17 19:24
Oh deary deary me Dan. Such desperate measures ! Stop belting your poor lip around and use the old tried and true method of 'Snugging' . Please spend a bit of bread and purchase W.Thomas Ridenour's book "The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet' Chapter IV (4) especially page 10 and become enlightened
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2010-02-17 19:45
Barry: Do you have any idea what embouchure dystonia is?
If not, may I suggest a Google search and become enlightened...
I wouldn't be going through all of these "desperate measures" if I didn't have to. I believe I'm familiar with Tom's "Snugging" as I have seen his Youtube video several times.
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2010-02-18 05:33
Ah well then Dan it seems I owe you an apology. Please would you accept an apology from me as I seem to be unaware of what embouchure dystonia is. I will go onto Google and check this out.
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2010-02-18 09:00
Ok I've now did some reading about Focal Dystonia which also apparently covers embouchure Dystonia. It seems that some claim that Dystonia is a neurological disorder. After reading a fair amount and getting myself enlightened with this subject , I have decided NOT to read anything more about Dystonia lest I start thinking too much about it. The gist of what I have been reading is that some woodwind and brass players move away from 'playing freely' and start fretting about 'trying not to play badly'
Maybe there is a parallel here with what I've experienced with typing . I am a good average typist and never look at my fingers. However , if I'm silly enough to start THINKING about typing the result is that I CAN NO LONGER TYPE ! and my fingers start to feel like they're made of lead . I can only type well when I don't think about it. Is this also a type of Focal Dystonia ? Anyway , once again Dan sorry about been too hasty with my conclusions.
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Author: Paul Miller
Date: 2010-02-19 07:15
I think Warren Deck had to quit his job as tubist with the NY Phil because of focal dystonia. He was an AWESOME player, really top class, and he still teaches, but I don't think he does much playing anymore.
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2010-02-19 08:15
I got this from one of the websites , www.dystonia-foundation/org/pages/ glossary . Focal: A general term for any dystonia that affects one area of the body such as the eyes, mouth/jaw, neck, vocal cords, and hands.
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