 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Richie
Date: 2017-05-03 17:02
My instructor sometimes describes my articulation as "chippy" but he doesn't really say what it is, and offers no solutions that I could try to fix it. I find this actually kind of annoying. I know it's hard to know exactly how it sounds without a recording, but does anyone have any suggestions I should try?
Just a confused student at the moment,
Richie
Post Edited (2017-05-03 17:07)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2017-05-03 17:06
I'm frustrated for you. I would guess they are not sure how to explain it, or they're waiting for you to ask for help on it -- both of which I find annoying as a professional teacher.
Is there a pattern to your "chippiness"? More in the second register than the first? In certain dynamic circumstances?
Is it related to staccato or legato? Does it only occur with fast articulation?
Do you tongue with the tip of your tongue OR with the middle of your tongue?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-05-03 17:21
I have had problems with some Vandoren MPs in close facings and some reeds being "chirpy" or having a little whistle during articulation. A reed with a well balanced or heavier tip may help ... I have found the Legere reeds are immune from this problem. It may be the way Vandoren machines there facings that makes the reed more sensitive ...
Just guessing ...
Tom
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-05-03 21:58
Richie wrote:
> My instructor sometimes describes my articulation as "chippy"
> but he doesn't really say what it is, ... does anyone have any > suggestions I should try?
>
Yes. Ask him what he means.
To fix a problem you first need to notice it - be able to hear it. Whether he finds another way to describe it or just points it out to you when it happens, that's part of *his* job. Even better if he could replicate it himself, because he'd then have a start on what you'll need to do to fix it.
Is this a teacher you've chosen, or are you in a school program that chooses for you?
Karl
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Author: Richie
Date: 2017-05-04 01:31
From what I figured out it is during legato tonguing, I'm making more of a conscious effort to articulate with the tip of my tongue, but I can't say that I wasn't before for sure. Karl-- This is a teacher that isn't in a program, but was recommended by my school, so I do have a bit of freedom in that area. I'll try getting him to recreate it; that's not a bad idea.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2017-05-04 01:53
I might guess that chippy means spiky or hard, in which case a softer syllable might be needed.
But as accurately stated above, ask your teacher to demonstrate the sound for you or at least provide a few synonyms for "chippy" that might be more meaningful to you.
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Author: CarolinaClarinet
Date: 2017-05-04 02:49
(1) Record it and listen. You can do it with a smart-phone.
(2) If it's a scoop of the pitch when you articulate, work on keeping all of your tongue low, flat, and keep the back part relaxed except for the tip (which should also be flat). There are many (over 12) muscles in your tongue. Only 2 (at the tip) are actually involved in proper articulation - the two at the absolute tip of the tongue. Say de-de-de-de very fast and softly and try to emulate that motion for articulation - keeping all the back muscles at rest.
(3) If it's a THU THU THU sound, see #2 above. Do not "PUSH AIR" - just lety the tip of your tongue stop the reed - release the reed - then stop the reed again. No pushing or explosion of air.
Good luck.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2017-05-04 05:25
There are many ways to play the clarinet. In the American & French schools of playing, keeping "all of the tongue low and flat" is definitely "incorrect".
The back of the tongue is high, as when you say "EEEEEE", and remains up at all times -- sometimes just EEEEE, sometimes high and forward EWWWWW, or whatever your tongue needs to do within your oral cavity to maintain a focused, ringing, sound (which is accomplished by pressurizing the airstream before it enters the mpc because the tongue is high).. This is called "voicing", and voicing cannot be done if the tongue is "low and flat".
Just my 2 cents.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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