 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: taylomol
Date: 2016-02-02 08:24
Hi, I've been playing the soprano clarinet for the past six years, and I'm preparing for my state's annual regional competition. I always get a little under the weather about a week before things like this, which causes my embouchure to weaken rapidly. This has never been a problem before, because I usually play only five minutes songs, but this year, I'm doing Bernstein's 10 minute Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, and I can't play all the way through it before my corners give out! The competition is in five days (Saturday the 6th).
Thanks!
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-02-02 12:25
Oh dear. That is terrible. i get very strange responses to nerves too, and the best way i have thought to deal with them, is to get out and play my pieces in public as much as possible. (even busking) then people are watching you and you get used to being watched. I have found that helps me a lot.
I am thinking, what if you get the homeopathic tincture of Camomile. That can help calm your nerves, and may stop you being sick, since the sickness is just nerves. Then your muscles in the mouth will return.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-02-02 19:24
Ok you may not have time enough to "cure" your ills in a few days, but I would say that the main issue is thinking "corners" in the first place. If you are to flatten the lower lip by yanking your mouth width wise, you set yourself up for a battle of musculature.
So instead of thinking "up and back" (my guess from your description), you should be thinking "down and in." This gets your embouchure more round and wrapped around the mouthpiece like a rubber band. Sure you want a nice thin pad out of your lower lip, but not at the expense of everything else.
There is an option to all the struggles vis a vis the use of a German mouthpiece, German reeds. This utilizes a very light, easy approach to the embouchure with the best mouthpiece option being a Viotto N1 using 2 1/2 strength Vandoren White Masters, but this "fix" has its own challenges (such as few people here with whom you can discuss the ins and outs). It will also take a good 4 to 6 months just to get back to the musical fluency you have now to work out the differences from what you do on a French mouthpiece.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-02-02 20:16
Since you're playing an entire Sonata, are you playing with an accompanist? Have you rehearsed it with the pianist? There are rests in the clarinet part that you probably aren't counting out when you practice by yourself. They should give you some time to get fresh blood back in your chops.
Karl
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Author: taylomol
Date: 2016-02-03 03:09
Thanks so much everyone! I'm giving a rehearsal performance tonight with a few other people at my school, so I'll give all your advice a try!
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2016-02-03 08:47
Paul, if using German mouthpieces were the solution, then why aren't the vast majority of professional clarinetists, some with even DMA's with treatises in effective pedagogy, using them? And would any of those people who emphasize corners be incorrect as well?
I have heard clarinetists talk about "up and back" and "down and in", and both sound great. Ricardo Morales has stated in his video masterclasses on several occasions that although embouchure is important, it's not nearly as complicated as we make it out to be and has to be regulated in an individual way. That is the teacher's responsibility, to figure out what a student naturally does and make that work.
I think the last thing this clarinetist needs is a drastic change to German equipment when simply doing a bit more long tones or interval exercises may help build up strength in the embouchure.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-02-04 13:38
Hi taylormol, just wondering how you are going. Good luck for your recital.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-02-04 16:09
Yeah, the INFORMATION on the German thing is more reflective of what I am going through NOW rather than advice for change. I think I threw that in more as a "comparison/contrast" model. It IS a huge change and I DON'T recommend it willy nilly. One would really have to know what they are doing to do that, and have contact with a few good German after sellers to get reeds, ligatures etc.
I am gearing up to make a little treatise on this topic for the Board but I still need one more piece of equipment that I await from ESM.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2016-02-05 01:27
Thanks for the clarification, Paul. It seemed like it was just a blanket recommendation. I'd like to hear your findings with the new equipment.
All best.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-02-05 05:29
I've heard from many accomplished Brass and Woodwind players "don't play when you are tired or your embouchure is faltering ... you will cause more harm than good ... take some time off"
Be sure you are warming up slowly and correctly as well.
Long tones!
Some really good legit brass players I know buzz a MP for 15 minutes followed by another 45 minute slow warm-up.
Of course, there were players like Harry James, whose warm-up was a 3-octave chromatic scale, played once, and at triple fortissimo! He did this on just one good lung, too!
I played an audition a million years ago for the local flagship orchestra (didn't get the gig). At some point, due to nerves and fatigue from over practicing, I slipped into using some vibrato for the last few minutes of the tryout. Fellow players, listening offstage, applauded my playing, but especially liked my use of vibrato. I was actually embarrassed, but pretended it was "part of the act". I will try-out for just about anything nowadays, figuring I "might screw up and get it". As an old man, I just don't worry too much about stuff like that anymore, tomorrow is another day ...
Tom
Post Edited (2016-02-05 05:40)
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2016-02-06 18:27
It sounds to me like the problem is not your setup, with which you have adequate stamina in normal conditions, but your response to stress, which may be to hold extra muscle tension and expend unnecessary effort.
If you can become aware of this extra tension, how and when it manifests, you may be able to train yourself out of it, at least as far as your face and fingers go.
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Author: taylomol
Date: 2016-02-06 20:44
Thanks for all your help - the competition's in five hours, and I really think I have a chance at making it to state this year!
Post Edited (2016-02-06 20:46)
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