 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClariAK
Date: 2012-07-30 17:43
Hi -
I'm 16 years old, and I've been doing tonguing exercises everyday for several years. I do quarters, then eighths, then triplet-eighths, then sixteenths, increasing the speed periodically. A month ago I was at quarter note = 132, but recently things have changed. I'll suddenly have a spurt of super fast tonguing that was not intentional and I can't really control. My tongue just goes crazy intermittently, but not consistently. As I said, a month ago I was at 132 and the articulations were all even and in tempo. I haven't increased the speed, or changed anything about my set up, practice schedule, or anything else that I can think of, but now my tongue will randomly go into overdrive. It is obviously only a problem with the sixteenth notes - I somehow conjure up a speed that I've never had before, but I don't know how to control it.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to control this, or thoughts on if it is normal? I hope this makes sense!
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2012-07-30 17:49
Perhaps you are getting to tense when you practice. Why don't you ease off the tonguing exercises for awhile, and see if the problem doesn't go away by itself?
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2012-07-30 17:51
I have the same problem and found the problem a lot worse near the end of a practice session than the beginning. Maybe you are tired? It will slowly get better though.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-07-31 01:16
There's a famous quote, don't remember by who though. It's never too late to begin practicing something slowly again. Ease off and practise slower for a while while you analyze how you're tonguing when it sounds good and how you're doing it correctly. After a few days start to slowly inch back up concentrating on what and how you're doing it. It's very difficult to tell you what you're doing wrong without watching and listening and even then sometimes it's near impossible. Unless it's obvious what a person is doing wrong it is the most difficult thing to teach and correct as a teacher because it relies on the student telling the teacher the truth and all to often, the student doesn't know what that is about the placement on the toungue and throat. Not impossible, just very difficult.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2012-07-31 09:30
If you practise tonguing alone, this problem arises sooner or later. You must practise all kind of scales too, because the key factor is the coordination between your tongue and your fingers. I suspect many player can tongue faster on one note than on a scale.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2012-07-31 13:25
It sounds like you've received some good advice and I have nothing to add, but I'd like to ask how things are going for you in India. If I remember correctly, you posted a few months ago about moving to India for a year, and you were concerned about keeping up your clarinet playing there. How's it going so far? I can't speak for the other readers, but I'd enjoy it if you could keep us up to date during the next year (when you get a chance, of course) about your experiences, especially your musical experiences.
Have a great year in India!
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Author: ClariAK
Date: 2012-08-01 14:18
Thanks for all of the advice! The answer was simple - I got into a habit of focusing on tonguing exercises at the end of a practice session, and my tongue was merely fatigued. Thanks cxgreen48!
Yes, I've been in India for about three weeks now, and I've had a blast so far. I've been practicing a bunch, and I've been having lessons with my teacher via FaceTime, which has actually worked quite well. I feel confident that I won't fall behind with respect to western classical music. With regards to Indian classical music, I've been absorbing as much as I can. It's such a rich culture, and the music reflects that. In school (which just started today) I'm taking tabla classes, and I am seeking a shehnai (oboeish thing) teacher because I am very interested in getting good at it. I saw it performed at a traditional Hindu wedding that I had been invited to, and it's great. It's hard to play though!
My main strategy for staying on top of clarinet is entering both national and international competitions, such as ICA's high school competition, various national ensembles, and others. If anyone knows of any other competitions of the like for my age group, I would really appreciate info about them!
Thanks again.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2012-08-01 15:46
I hope you'll be coming to the SOI Season in September, it's pretty clarinet heavy.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: ClariAK
Date: 2012-08-15 14:18
Ah, I would looooove to catch a SOI performance, but my school schedule doesn't really allow any time off during September, so I don't know yet. I'll just have to convince the parents :D
More likely that I'll be able to make it to the February concerts. Hopefully!
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2012-08-15 18:21
If you want to come to either the Beethoven Pastoral Symphony concert or indeed the Mahler 5th Symphony concert or both let me know. I can try and get reduced tickets for the eve performances.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Buster
Date: 2012-08-16 01:39
ClairAK,
As you said, you've somewhat "solved" the "problem" that arose, but:
Instead of viewing these unintended "super-fast" tonguing bursts as an aberration, or error laden byproduct of your highly-structured articulation practice, turn matters around and attempt to induce said super-fast "bursts" that might emerge.
You could find what is causing them to occur, even if only in loose imagery that serves solely your personal "body-image", and by doing so actually learn how to harness the currently uncontrolled super-fast articulation...
It goes without saying that most musicians are not interested in hearing the Mendelssohn Scherzo performed at 120, and the ability to do so is truly only impressive in laboratory settings, but there is something freeing in being able to "relax" into a quickly articulated passage without nary a worry if you are physically able to do so.
...If nothing else, I envy your access to truly authentic Indian cuisine... which I've only savored on a sparse number of occasions.
-Jason
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2012-08-16 10:14
Jason,
I can tell certainly say that the food in Bombay/Mumbai is exceptional. I loved Indian food here in the UK and have to say its pretty authentic. When I first went to India I was blown away and didn't want Indian food in the UK. The only difference between the two countries is if you eat too much in the UK you'll get fat. If you eat too much in India you're likey to get ill.
Peter Cigleris
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