 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda Rose
Date: 2001-07-06 16:56
I'm teaching some sixth graders how to play clarinet. What is the best way to teach tonguing? I'm having trouble describing it to the young kids.
Bye!
Amanda
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Author: David
Date: 2001-07-06 19:04
I can only think of one good suggestion: Imagine what syllable tounging would sound like. Tell them to say that syllable when they tongue. ("Tah" always comes to my mind.)
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Author: Kim
Date: 2001-07-06 20:22
Describe tonguing to your students by using the syllable "dut". For slurring, use "de-ut". Emphasize to them to hit the tip of the reed with the tip of the tongue. Also, emphasize to them that each tongued note MUST sound the same. ; )
Hope this helps,
Kim
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2001-07-06 21:55
I would be cautious about using dut. That might suffice for accents, but certainly not legato passages. That is too much accent. I would try a doh or loo. Not an accented doh like Homer Simpson. That way there is still ring to it. If you use dut, maybe just use it in a passage like the Scherzo from AMSND by Mendelssohn. But if you have four quarter notes, you would cut the sound off by using dut. Evaluate the type of passage it is. For normal stuff, tah works great.
Brandon
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Author: William
Date: 2001-07-06 22:10
I assume that they are beginners. Try having then sustain a long note, bottom line E works pretty good. Then, after they can sustain a steady sound, have them go tah, tah, tah, etc under the tip area of the reed, breaking the sound into segments just as if they were saying it using the roof of their mouth just behind their front teeth. Try to get them to play evenly and together. Stress the note beginnings rather than endings and don't expect perfection right off. Give them a chance to learn and grow. Remember, also, that when all possible descriptions of what you want them to do fails, an "audio picture" may save a thousand words--demostrate what you are trying to tell them by playing your clarinet for them. Teaching beginners is accomplished one day at a time and with LOTS of words of encouragement and approval and your recognition of what they are trying to do. Even if things are not going well, find something to compliment and make them feel good about their musical efforts. Smile a lot. Always end your lessons with, "It was good to see you all today--nice job!!!! And, by the way, a don't forget to practice a little for next time." Good luck and Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-07-06 22:13
Hi Amanda,
Let's say start with an open G, set the embouchure properly ask the student to produce a sound with just the air no tongue, then tell him/her to keep blowing and try to lightly touch the tip of the reed with the tip of the tongue while KEEPING the air pressure, the sound should stop, then remove the tongue, repeat the exercise on a open G until it is clear that the air is never stopped and that the student understands he/she doesn't have to slap the tongue on the reed to make the vibration stops. You can usually check that by making sure the embouchure is not moving (throat moving up and down, chin moving are usually bad signs)
The key to tonguing are always support the air, use the tip (or very near) of the tongue, do it lightly with small motions.
It is very imporatant that they have the feeling that the tongue stops the vibration and that the air is always supported.
Always tell them that they have to move as little tongue as possible.
Finally try to make them visualize what is happening in their mouth, position of the tongue, mouthpiece, reed, draw a picture if needs to be.
Articulation is a very essential aspect of playing and a lot of people learn it incorrectly and struggle to remove the bad habits. I had to go through relearning articulation several times until somebody finally showed me the right way of doing it.
Good luck,
-Sylvain
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2001-07-06 23:28
I forgot to say this, but if they cannot support the sound DO NOT attempt this yet. Get them just to slur for the time being. But, do teach that you have to start the sound with the tongue. I hope that makes sense.
Brandon
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2001-07-07 00:16
Another syllable to try is "thee." Less harsh sounding. I tell my students to tongue as if the reed were hot; it minimizes surface area on the tongue and keeps them from over-muscle-ing it. Very, very little muscle is needed to stop the reed's vibration.
I think a really good description of how to do correct staccato is in Daniel Bonade's "Clarinetist's Compendium." The publication is only like $3 and the method is well explained and works. It also has a lot of other helpful hints for beginning students.
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