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Re: Student with Cleft Lip

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2021-08-14 18:10

I agree with Matt - please don't take my questions in my previous post as a suggestion to cut him off or try to convince him to play violin. If he's strongly enough motivated to play clarinet and perseverant, he deserves a chance to find his own way with your help. Time will tell.

I assume you've talked with the his mom about this process and that she is aware that his lip is a factor that may complicate (but not prevent) his success. Does she have access to anyone who could serve as a resource for advice or help in suggesting workarounds for any specific issues that come up? Has he had any corrective surgery done? If so the surgeon might have insights.

Depending on what I actually heard during his lessons, I'd be inclined to have him stay in the chalumeau longer than I otherwise might, just to avoid the added resistance of the clarion notes for awhile. If his mouthpiece, reeds and instrument are working well in a general sense, trying easier-blowing mouthpiece-reed setups than you might normally use with a new student might help. Judge by the result. If air isn't leaking through the cleft (you don't describe how extensive it is in your student), weakness in the upper lip can be gotten around - most beginners young or older don't involve their upper lip much. It just has to keep air from leaking out. Many players never involve the muscles of their upper lips much if at all (despite their teachers' efforts).

Karl

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