 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Kea
Date: 2013-08-13 15:15
Hello everyone.
I'm having some difficulties with my articulation. This past year I've been working on getting my tongue to gently touch the reed while keeping the back of my tongue in the proper position. I think I'm doing that now, but I noticed that my embouchure loosens when I articulate now. It feels as if the jaw is slightly dropping. Is this a problem? Or is it a sign that my embouchure was too tight to begin with?
I'm also having troubles with starting notes and staccatos. In both instances, the notes have some fuzziness to them and are not very precise/clear. In my head, it feels like I'm starting the note with a firm air support then removing my tongue, but the note still starts with an airy sound at times. Is my tongue not moving fast enough? I was told to only use the tip of my tongue to articulate, but I have not idea if I'm truly only using the tip. Is there any way to check that?
I'm open to all suggestions! Thank you very much for your time, and I'm sorry if this post didn't make any sense.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-08-13 16:06
It's impossible to tell you what the problem is without seeing and listening to you. The best thing would be to take some lessons with an accomplished player-teacher. Short of that, read my articles about it on my website, you may get an idea from them. Everyone can't tongue the same way. There is an accepted 'proper" way to tongue but if your tongue is a little larger or smaller than "normal" or your teeth or throat or embouchure, jaw etc. are somewhat different from others you may have to make adjustment. You may have the back of your tongue to high, too low. You may have the front of your tongue to high or too low and any other problem. See if you can get some ideas from my website but there's nothing like taking lessons, from an opened minded teacher.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-08-13 17:33
Ok, your basic description (from how I read your post) seems correct. Tonguing is the act of REMOVING your tongue from the reed. As you said, you start with all the pressure from your core in place, air right there at the reed ready to go, all you have to do is release the reed.
THAT is the standard approach, and needs to be practiced really, REALLY S-L-O-W-L-Y to get it right to begin with. I loved Robert Marcellus' description once of learning how to tongue, "it's like potty training." It's going to be slow going and messy at first but it is worth the temporary agony.
As for the actual place you put your tongue and the actual part of the tongue you use, that varies from person to person somewhat (and what is more comfortable for you. I use a spot a little further back from the tip of the tongue and place that slightly past the tip of the reed. The bottom line is that your tongue is the DAMPER, much like the dampers of a piano on the strings. Your BREATH is the hammer (as David Shifrin said recently).
And lastly, as you slow practice, DO NOT MOVE YOUR JAW or embouchure at ALL (of course that means no biting as well).
..............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kea
Date: 2013-08-15 02:51
Thank you for the replies, Ed and Paul. I have started to practice articulating slower, and I think it will help me find my underlying problem.
I think impatience is my biggest downfall, but I'll do my best to overcome it.
Thanks again for your help!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-08-15 03:20
Play a steady tone and flick the tip of your tongue up in a tiny motion, keeping it a short distance away from the reed tip. That is, you're making the tonguing motion, but missing the reed. Never stop blowing.
Gradually move your tongue closer and closer until it just grazes the reed. Never stop blowing.
Continue until the area just back of the tip of your tongue makes contact just past the tip of the reed and bounces off. Never stop blowing.
Practice repeated notes and then scales. Don't go too fast. You want to have a consistent contact under perfect control. Never stop blowing.
To begin a note, put your tongue on the reed as above. Begin blowing and then remove your tongue to release the tone. To end a note, keep blowing and put your tongue on the reed to stop the vibration.
To learn how to play accented notes, rest the bell on your left knee, remove your right hand from the clarinet and rest it lightly on your abdomen below your ribs and above your navel. If you feel a bumping under your right hand when you articulate, you need to stop making it. It involves some of the largest and slowest muscles in your body. The accent comes from how you take your tongue off the reed and how hard it bounces off the reed as it goes by.
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2013-08-15 03:21)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-08-15 14:57
Ken,
I like the fact that you are emphasizing the tongue in the process and ensuring that the abdominal muscles are not used for the actual separation of notes.
I would though slightly differ from your use of the tongue having anything to do with accent or amplitude at the start of a note.
Accent is a function of only two things:
1) SILENCE (or separation from the previous sound; the longer the pause, the greater the effect)
2) AIR - The actual decibel level of the note you have started is a product of AIR. The more air (or pressure you exert with your core/abdominal muscles) the LOUDER or more present the sound will be.
All the tongue can do by itself is get in the way.
..............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-08-15 15:09
Paul -
I agree, but the questioner is a relative beginner. Far too many beginners start notes with a violent tongue stroke and an abdominal lurch, and I wanted to steer her away from that.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
