 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bee Flat Forty
Date: 2001-02-20 12:58
A few months ago, I picked up the clarinet (a used Buffet student model) for the first time in about 20 years (how I've Missed it!!). I am in the process of reteaching myself and have joined a local concert band... but I'm having problems with my tounging. I am looking for some advice... from the basics... to tounging exercises. I am getting some "clunking" noises from the upper register... the lower one seems fine. Of course, practice is the main thing, but I don't want to practice bad habits I may be inadvertently creating. Can anyone help?
Thanks
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-02-20 14:51
Many of us have "gone home" to Clarinet after a long time. I went back after 27 years. While I wish I could help you, I can pass along something that has brought me success & happiness .... find a good teacher & stick with them. Regular lessons & regular practice is what the doctor ordered. best of luck. mw
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Author: Fred R
Date: 2001-02-20 15:00
Bee
Congrats on picking up the instrument again. You need to hit the tip of your tongue to the tip of the reed(as close as possible) and do it as lightly as possible. Remember the tongue does not make the note it only stops the vibration of the reed, you dont need alot of force. Try playing a scale and stop somewhere but dont take your tongue off the reed. Stick your tng out with the clarinet and look at the position of your tng and where it hits the reed. I had an instructor that used to take a black magic maker and paint an 1/8th in. line on the tip of my reed every so often and make me play, then look in a mirror. The black needed to be on the tip of my tng and no where else.
As far as exercises set a metronome at a tempo your comfortable with and do scales in eighth notes and arrpeggios in triplets , concentrate on cleanliness and clarity increase the tempo as you see fit. Another standard one is to start on the base note of a major scale (C) tng 4 1/16ths and an 1/8th, repeat once, repeat rythym but play scale up to the 4th interval(C to G), repeat rythym but play from the 4th down to the base(G to C), play 8 1/16ths and an 1/8th going up and back down(C to G to C). Go up one note on the scale and repeat. Do the entire scale, use a metrnome and listen to youself.
Best of luck
Fred
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2001-02-20 16:19
Is it my imagination (or just my bad habit) that the precise placement of the tongue varies ever so slightly depending on what register one is playing? That is to say that it seems like I find myself moving back from the tip of my tongue when playing staccatto patterns in progressively higher registers, not much mind you, but a little bit to accomodate working especially with those dreaded notes above C. Like I said, I could just be noticing the beginnings of a bad habit so if someone with more knowledge than I could offer their two cents, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
Brian
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-02-20 16:52
Hi, BeeFlat !
Don't have anything much to add to other posts, just a big Welcome Back!
Probably just doin' what you're doin' is fine. Your peers, fellow players, are the ones closest to you who can observe and be observed, who will be the most helpful.
MW is correct, if you can find a teacher, (if just to get you on the right track), to help get you re-started, it will be well worth it.
A twenty year lapse - and you're already playing in a local concert band... I'd say that's pretty wonderful ! You don't need any advice, you have what it takes. It'll come back to you in a short time. Take it from an old goat who's been doin' the same, the reward is ongoing :]
Happy tootin' !
ron b
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