 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2010-05-19 00:34
I am a 54 year old clarinetist who has played more or less daily since 3rd grade. This year I am suddenly having issues with a shaky embouchure that seems to originate from a nerve in my lower lip that is "overactive." Memories have come flooding back of teachers I had that played w. a shaky sound, prompting me to think to my young and childishly over-confident self, "Why don't they practice more?" But now I find myself in the same position. I still practice daily, but, actually, I seem to notice this problem less when I have laid off for a day or two. Anyone else experienced this problem?
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-05-19 02:32
Marie, the two of us are very close in age. I've never had your problem, but I have had to make adjustments as I've gotten older. Many years ago I read an interview with former Metropolitan Opera clarinetist Herb Blayman. He said that as he got older, he started using softer reeds. I didn't think much about it at the time, but I too play on softer reeds (3s or 3 1/2s) than I once did (4s, 4 1/2s, and 5s). I've also switched to double lip (problems with a top tooth, long story), something I never would have done when I was younger.
I've heard about embouchure dystonia, and I know of a couple brass players who have had it. With both of them, their playing days are over. I don't know if this is what you have, but if you check the archives, you can read quite a bit about it.
I'm not qualified to make a diagnosis, but I'm wondering if going with a setup that puts as little strain on the mouth as possible might help. I know it's hard to do, but cutting back on your playing a bit is probably a good idea.
Good luck to you.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-05-19 14:57
I had a student about your age with the same problem. A year or two after he began getting a really nice tone quality his embouchure would not last very long and he would loose control. He eventually had to change to a freer blowing mouthpiece and use a softer reed so he could play for a while before he got to tired. I suggest you try some other mouthpieces to find one that is easier to blow, less resistance, and perhaps use a softer reed as well. I suggest you try both. You may lose some tone quality but at least you will be able to play longer and perhaps build up your strength and endurance as well. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2010-05-19 16:18
I wish I was 54 again!! sadly that was nearly 20 years ago.
What I have found in recent years is that it takes much longer when I start playing for my embouchure to stabilise or firm up.
My tone does feel less secure until I have been playing for about 15-20 minutes.
I tend now to start practice with about 10 minutes of long tones starting on low E then E in next 2 octaves. The work upwards chromatically F/F/F etc until I reach my chosen top note.
This does seem to help.
I think it is a fact of aging that ones embouchure does weaken slightly and tire more easily but at 54 I would think you have 15/20/25 years of potential playing still possible.
A close colleague of mine died recently age 84 and was still playing on solo stand to with weeks of his demise.
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Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2010-05-21 22:54
Thanks for the encouragement and the ideas. I checked out the information on embouchure dystonia and, thankfully, that doesn't seem to be my issue. I do seem to find some improvement from playing double-lip but...it hurts! And I don't think I want to develop a callous on my upper lip. However, I will experiment with that as well as different set-ups and see what I can figure out.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-05-21 23:41
If playing double lip hurts, you're probably doing it wrong (biting). Of course, there's a learning curve involved, but once you get it right, there should be no pain.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-05-22 13:08
Nor, I think, does there need to be a noticeable callous - on either lip.
Karl
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2010-05-22 18:04
David Breeden, the former principal of San Francisco Symphony had to change reed strength as he got older. He told me when I studied with him that he played V12 4 1/2 for many years of his career and as he got older, he had to move down to 3 1/2's.
I'm not sure if he had a shaky embouchure issue but he said that he could only function on the softer reeds as he got older.
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Author: plclemo
Date: 2010-05-22 18:18
I am 50. But I've ALWAYS played double-lipped as you call it. I've been playing for nearly 41 years. I took off the years from 1978-1990 and found that when I picked my horn back up again IT HURT! My lips were TOTALLY out of shape! Now, I have NO problems. Keep trying the "double-lip" method. You'll eventually get used to it!
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Author: 78s2CD
Date: 2010-05-24 02:24
Try doubling in brass. Since I returned to daily French Horn warmups about a year ago, my clarinet chops have been like the Energizer Bunny! I'm 66.
Regards,
Jim Lockwood
Rio Rico, in the shameful state of Arizona :-(
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