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RE: Throat and Tone Color

Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-04-17 06:15

I have a training book written by Charles Neidich and Oshima(his ex-student).
Unfortunately, it is written only by Japanese and published only in Japan.
I will try to translate its part related to tongue position.

<Tongue position in oral cavity>
'Tongue position' is very much relate to 'breath support'. This tongue position, although not seriously taken into account by many players, plays a roll as the bridge so to speak when air is blown into the clarinet. This is very important and the reader should learn how to do with tongue position.

When told 'Open your throat', many players take back tongue back toward throat like yawning. You cannot expect good performance by this tongue position.
This is how you should:
At first shut your mouth. Where do you feel your tongue is located?
You will recognize the tongue is located never backward. Ascertain the
tongue support parts are in contact with back teeths at both sides.
You should keep these parts of tongue near them when you
play clarinet.

Next. Try to pronounce 'Heeee' or 'Hyuuuu'. You will recognize the tongue
tip is located low and its back part is high i.e. looks like an arc.
This is the basic tongue position when you play clarinet.

Next. The tongue position is not always the same. Basically, if you play
higher notes, the back part of tongue should be positioned higher and
forward. This is improtant and you should memorize this. However, keep
in mind your tongue tip should not be positioned high. Tongue should be
shaped arc always.

These things are very important to play clarinet in better tone, in better
intonation, and in better technique. You should find through exercise
with what tongue positions you can get the best tones listening to
your own tones and lean them 'by body'.

<Lower teeth position>
Figure

Reed tip
---------------
| |
|---------------| 9th harmonics
|---------------|1st harmonics
|---------------|7th harmonics
|---------------|3rd harmonics
|---------------|5th harmonics
| |
| |
Reed sotck
This figure indicates where are to locate your lower teeth.

Let's exercise.
(a) Play D(1st or primary harmocics) below the stuff and keeping the lower teeth position try to emit A above the stuff(3rd harmonics). You will recognize the queer sound 'boooo' with A. That is lower harmonics. Then while still inhaling, try to change lower teeth down(see Figure) just like opening your mouth slightly. You will find a place only A comes out beautifully. That is the correct position of lower teeth on the reed for 3rd harmonics. Of course it is necessary to keep tongue arc shape. In the same way, let's try to play from D-flat below the stuff to A-flat above the stuff.
(b)These A or A-flat above the stuff are very unstable and difficult. You should get a knuck how to move your lower teeth.

I translated the second part since it is necessary to recognize both lower teeth position(changed by jaw movement) and tongue position at the same time.

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