 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Maruja
Date: 2013-12-13 15:00
When I asked my (excellent) teacher what her procedure was before she actually started to play, she said that, along with tensing the stomach muscles, forming the embouchure etc., she empties her mouth of saliva. Wetness is the enemy of the clarinettist! But what about the reed? Surely that must remain damp? Any views?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-12-13 17:14
I swallow before I play. My mouth isn't completely dry though...Saliva accumulates as I play although not a lot and I tend to swallow during extended breaks/rests. I don't think I ever was taught to do this or that I consciously do it though...It's an innate habit I guess.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-12-13 18:49
Once a reed has been moistened a start of session e.g. by soaking vamp in water or in mouth then the natural moisture in the breath is all that is needed to maintain playing humidity.
Your teachers advice is correct in that you need to strip any excess saliva from the front of your mouth prior to playing.
Some people, me included, seem to produce generous amounts of saliva (my dentist says this is actually a good thing) and in this case you really do need to get it out of the way.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-12-13 21:44
Wow, never heard of excess saliva before! Of course a natural by product of "stage fright" is 'dryness of the mouth.' So I guess performance anxiety should help with that.
............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-12-14 18:46
You can't "empty" your mouth of saliva, it's produced naturally. You can make sure you don't have excess in your mouth when you start but you will still produce more as you play, just not neccessarly in excess. Most of use have to "swallow" once in a while.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
