 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stormy
Date: 2001-01-12 18:49
Hello -- I have a couple "newbie" sort of questions, so bear with me please -- and just count this as your daily dose of laughs! :-)
First of all -- I have been playing clarinet for about 2.5-3 months now and already think I'm in love. I'm 17, so I suppose I started a lot later than most kids, but oh well. Every day I learn something or finally accomplish something that is just so cool -- then again, I'm ecstatic over the tiniest little things -- like the fact that my parakeet's tail feathers are finally beginning to grow back in; I don't think he liked my squeaks too much...
Anyway, I have a problem with my embouchure (ha! I even know how to spell it!) - I wear braces, so that might be part of it - but when I play, a lot of the time (like probably 90% of the time) I dont/can't close my mouth completely around the mouthpiece, so a lot of air "leaks" (for lack of a better word!). Does this happen to other people, or is it just me? And what can I do to fix it?
Also, the "peak" time when I'm playing - when playing is the easiest and sounds the best, leaking or no, is probably after about 5min. of playing, until about 30min. After that, my mouth basically goes "wobbly" and I have to stop. Half an hour doesn't seem like a terribly long practice time to me; again - is it just me or is that usual? I'm guessing I just need to build mouth strength, right? - so is there anything I can do for that?
Okay, I've rambled enough for now, so I'll leave you in peace! :-) Thank you all in advance for any help/comments you can give me! (incedently, I'd never even heard a clarinet play "up close" until I started, and as far as older/wiser/more experienced folk I can ask, other than my teacher, I know none. So I really _really_ will appreciate anything!)
God Bless!
Sara
--PS, I'll be out of town until Sunday, so if I don't reply to anything immediately - that's why...
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-01-12 19:34
Welcome and have fun with the instrument. If you keep it up, you can enjoy it the rest of your life. Once you are out of school, or even while you are still in school, you can join a community band, unless you have greater ambitions, and have the fun of playing with others.
If you think you are starting late at 17, there are others on this message board that started or restarted in their 40s, 50s or 60s.
Someone more qualified will jump in and answer your questions, but, as far as your embouchure going "wobbly" after 30 minutes, you will gradually build up stamina. And, hey, there's nothing wrong with taking a break after 30 minutes. I'm glad you want to practice longer.
--Don Poulsen
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-12 20:02
Stormy wrote:
>
> Anyway, I have a problem with my embouchure (ha! I even know
> how to spell it!) - I wear braces, so that might be part of it
> - but when I play, a lot of the time (like probably 90% of the
> time) I dont/can't close my mouth completely around the
> mouthpiece, so a lot of air "leaks" (for lack of a better
> word!). Does this happen to other people, or is it just me?
> And what can I do to fix it?
This is a typical beginner problem. This can last for a while and even resurface occasionally later. Time will generally take care of it. However if it bothers you, Vandoren makes some of their mouthpieces with a low profile beak that they refer to as Profile 88 versions of their line. Some people do find these much more comfortable.
>
> Also, the "peak" time when I'm playing - when playing is the
> easiest and sounds the best, leaking or no, is probably after
> about 5min. of playing, until about 30min. After that, my
> mouth basically goes "wobbly" and I have to stop. Half an hour
> doesn't seem like a terribly long practice time to me; again -
> is it just me or is that usual? I'm guessing I just need to
> build mouth strength, right? - so is there anything I can do
> for that?
Again very typical for a beginner or for any one whose embouchure has gotten out of shape due to lack of practice. Actually 30 minutes a day is quite reasonable at this stage. If you would like to practice longer, take a break every 15 minutes or so. Or practice again later in the day. By the way my daughter refers to this as "flubber lips." Even players who have well developed embouchures will experience. It just takes a little longer is all.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-01-12 20:58
In addition to advice already given, chec the strenghth of your reeds and make certain they are not too hard. That would also cause you to tire easily and air to leak as you blow into the mouthpiece..As a beginner, you should be using medium-soft reeds such as VanDoren 2.5, or even 2s if you have a mouthpiece that is too open at the tip. And rest assurred that no is laughing at your questions--we've all "been there and done that" at some point in our varied careers with the "agony stick." Come back anytime you need advice from us "pros." Cheers, and good clarineting.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-12 21:36
Stormy -
You're doing just right. Every beginner goes through exactly what's happening to you. You're more perceptive than most, since you write so accurately about your experience.
As the muscles around your lips get stronger, most of these problems will disappear. For your braces, you should talk with your dentist to see if any adjustments can be made. There are dentists who specialize in musicians, who know what to do to made playing with braces easier. There are also various kinds of pads and waxy compounds that you can mold around your braces to keep them from rubbing against your lips. Again, your dentist will know about them.
Keep at it. You're in great company.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-12 22:52
Good on ya' to start something new!
There are some commercially available brace covers to reduce the likely irritation playing may cause. The tightening of your embouchure will also bring the lip in closer contact with your braces, particulary your uppers.
These things take some getting used to, but may extend your practice time in the beginning.
Congrats!
Betcha start hearing clarinet music everywhere, soon.
anji
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Author: Amanda Rose
Date: 2001-01-13 16:09
Hi Sara,
I'm sixteen, but have been playing for a while and I just wanted to give you a little advice regarding your braces.
After they come off, be really careful. All I'm saying is that my teeth shifted a lot after I got mine off. My front teeth moved up from the pressure of the mouthpiece (at least that's part of my theory). Wear you retainers for a long time (several years). Or get permanent ones. I had my braces put back on last year because my teeth shifted so much that they dug into my lips when playing. Now I have these retainers that are basically like big mouth guards that are totally clear and fit over the front and back of your teeth. I can't wear them when I play, but I pop them back in as soon as I'm done and sometimes I will actually be able to feel that my teeth have shifted after a long rehearsal. They're called Essex Appliances. Look into them.
Good Luck! Clarinet is the best!
Amanda Rose
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Author: kaosangel
Date: 2001-01-13 23:16
Naturally, you will have more problems with playing the clarinet than most people because of the braces. It IS harder to close your mouth around the mouthpiece with them. Your muscles have to work harder, and that is probably contributing some (maybe???) to the tiredness in addition to the fact that you're new to the instrument. Newayz, have fun.
Lotsa love,
kaosAngel
aka
Nicole Y.
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