 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: megan_702
Date: 2013-01-09 04:15
I'm learning saxophone for jazz band at school but I'm realllly scared it will ruin my clarinet embochure and practices start tomorrow every Wednesday and Thursday.
Problem is I have region/state band auditions on Saturday what should I do? I haven't told me private teacher and probably won't because she probably would disapprove.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-01-09 12:25
I don't believe playing sax will "ruin" your clarinet embouchure AS LONG AS you continue your same practice regimen for clarinet!
Sax requires a looser embouchure than clarinet so just remember to keep things loose on sax and firmer on clarinet. Also be aware of any tendencies you may have to overcorrect (i.e. going too firm) with this knowledge!
I'm a private teacher and do not disapprove of any of my students learning any other instruments.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-01-09 12:33
Every new woodwind instrument you learn should HELP your clarinet embouchure, because you will be strengthening some new muscles and getting them to coordinate with the ones you've been using for clarinet already. It's like learning languages, every new language helps you with the previous language. and after you've learned one new instrument or language the next one after this is easier, and the next easier still, etc.
Many of the best clarinetists are multi-doublers on woodwinds, e.g. 'our own' John Moses.
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2013-01-09 12:44
There have been many great clarinetists, both jazz and classical, who have doubled on sax without ruining their embouchure or sound. Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Jack Brymer, Larry Combs, and Eddie Daniels all come immediately to mind.
Personally, saxophone playing is invaluable to helping me better understand clarinet--and music in general. It has even helped my clarinet embouchure.
My advice:
Don't get into the habit of being afraid to play music or an instrument because it might ruin your super-model clarinet embouchure or upset your teacher. That's like staying inside all summer because you're afraid to get freckles.
Play the music, be your best self, and remember that freckles can be nice.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-01-09 13:46
Eric, you could add Ron Reuben to the list, well-known for his tenor sax playing in the jazz world and one of the best orchestral bass clarinetists ever IMO.
There are many others.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-01-09 23:18
Although there is a great similarity in appearance between the clarinet and sax mouthpieces it is important to recognise they are very different instruments and embouchures.
Speaking about this with Gene Rousseau at least 30 years back after listening in to some master classes he was giving in the UK I still recall him saying that the sax needed to be played with a rounder "O" shaped embouchure and with the note pitched at the middle of the range whilst clarinet used a firmer and straighter embouchure and needed to play the note at (or very close to) the top of the pitch to get a classic clarinet sound.
The commonest problems seem to be clarinetists trying to play sax like a clarinet (and vice versa).
How many times have I seen clarinets owned by primarily sax playing dance band musicians where the barrel is 3 or 4 mm shorter than normal to counteract the low pitch brought about by their style of embouchure.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2013-01-10 01:12
Ron Reuben was my first clarinet teacher in the early 1960's right after he came off the road with Stan Kenton.
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Author: Buster
Date: 2013-01-10 01:13
The sax "embouchure" is as flexible as the clarinet address should be.
If you approach the sax like Lenny Pickett, Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, Trane, or Paul Gonsalves, your manner of placing the mouthpiece (disregarding equipment of course) in your face will vary a bit. But, the differences are ultimately far smaller than they would initially appear, even given the quote: "varied style/sound of any said sax performer."
***i.e. The flexibility that can be found in learning a different instrument can only help you find flexibility in your clarinet playing!!!
Though I may recommend waiting to begin your sax voyage until after your approaching audition, I would say that if your clarinet teacher objects it is her problem.
On a personal note, Frank Foster, Bobby Shew etc... didn't care that I was a primarily classical clarinetist. Fred Ormand, Lee Morgan and a bunch of other clarinet teachers didn't mind at all that I had played sax with Frank Foster.
And Ron Reuben sent my friend and me some recordings of him playing sax in his "youth." It surely didn't hurt his orchestral career.
though I despise name dropping.........
-Jason
Post Edited (2013-01-10 01:18)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-01-10 05:26
After decades of playing both clarinet and saxophone, I can hardly tell the difference. Air pressure delivered to the reed is needed in both cases and this may be why some clarinet players are less successful when trying the saxophone. The saxophone playing would probably help the clarinet playing. Go for it!
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-01-10 12:08
Your question reminded me of a story an experienced teacher told me when I was just starting my public school teaching career. The teacher had once taught private lessons on Saturdays, and several or his students were members of a high school band that was considered to be one of the best in the country. Their director was "old school," and strongly disapproved of his students playing jazz. They would plead with my colleague, "Please don't tell Mr. _____
that we have a jazz band outside of school!"
There are a variety of saxophone embouchures that are considered to be acceptable. Classical players (and some jazz performers) follow the Larry Teal or Joe Allard approaches. I tend more toward Allard, but both embouchures are similar. If you play saxophone in this manner, I don't think it will hurt your clarinet playing at all. I played tenor sax in a jazz band in high school (we used to call it stage band, nobody improvised), and it did no harm to my clarinet playing.
The only question I have--perhaps someone else has a comment about this because I honestly don't know the answer--has to do with the "bottom lip out" approach often used by jazz musicians. I really don't know if this approach would hurt your clarinet playing
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Author: LCullman
Date: 2013-01-10 19:10
My clarinet playing improved dramatically after I took up the tenor sax. Don't over think the embouchure, your muscle memory will take over and recognize the mouthpiece. Just let it happen. You will make the little adjustments needed as you go. The best teacher I have ever had doubles on sax, clarinet, and flute, he transmissions seamlessly. You will too.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2013-01-11 15:15
As an amateur, I think doubling has helped me on all of my instruments. Physically, yes, I do need to make sure I practice clarinets often, because playing nothing but saxophones (or recorders, with no reed at all!) will make me lose my lip in a hurry. But in a way that's good, because I do want to play those other instruments, and therefore I end up practicing more in general, to make sure I put enough time into the clarinets.
Playing different instruments also seems to keep me more alert mentally. Because of the differences in embouchure and fingerings, I have to think about what I'm doing. I can't just honk away on auto-pilot. Alert practice means more progress.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
Post Edited (2013-01-11 15:16)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-01-11 16:16
If your teacher disapproves, perhaps its time for a switch?
I would never tell a student no, you can't learn something new.
Go for it, have fun.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: hans
Date: 2013-01-13 00:29
James Morrison plays all the instruments in a 17 piece band (except the drums) and his embouchure seems better than OK :-)
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpiCEVHtHXM
After 50+ years of doubling on clarinet and saxes, I haven't found it to be an issue either.
Hans
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