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Re: What's your clarinet shortcoming(s)?

Author: SecondTry
Date: 2021-03-14 22:16

@BethGraham : I've had success dealing with your issue in students by having them form the embouchure before inserting the instrument into their mouth.

Perhaps this is something that you already do; perhaps you don't, but it turns out to not help---but I thought I'd "throw it out there."

@Paul Aviles: I'll bet you play circles around me. Nonetheless, I have found improvements in tongue speed when I concentrate on relaxing my throat. Imagine the feeling you have when some doctor says, "ok, I'm going to slowly slide this probe a little bit down your airway and I want you to try your best to relax rather than gag."

This sounds crazy but wrapping toilet tissue around your neck a few times can also help you get that feeling.

I am NOT saying that Abramovitz does this here for the reasons I cite. I simply don't know what his intentions are: which may be no more than fashion. I am linking this though so you get a visual idea:

https://youtu.be/aSIDbFX8XVk?t=59

That said, would you teach me double tonguing Paul?

@Matt75: play double lip--you'll get out of the habit fast

@Tom H : this is more a mental health approach (not that I'm saying that anything is wrong with you sir) than it is clarinet technique. Solve this equation:

ability/age

Quantify each. I'll bet your ratio is higher today than when you were 30.