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Re: Double lip and lipstick

Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2023-09-04 23:07

cbordian,

As to T.R.'s double lip method where the lower lip "imprint on the reed is much closer to the tip of the mouthpiece", the only way I can conceive this working is for Tom to purposely have his upper lip further away from the tip in order to prevent side air leakage on long facing lengths. Also, IMO, for Tom to allow the best vibrational swing of the reed, it seems to me that he would have to drop his lower jaw slightly. This certainly is a strange embouchure formation to me, however, we must keep in mind that Tom has a musical performance degree from Yale and graduated with honors. http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~milesi/ridenour.html

As to your other teacher who recommended the "less reed way", it is true that the reed is easier to control closer to the tip because the reed is thinner there. Doing the traditional "insert until you squeak and then back off a bit" method, I believe the reed would be more difficult to control due to the reed being thicker the further you put your lower lip away from the tip.

As to your greater ease of playing with your clarinet "pushed out further", this I believe is due to the reduction of the beak and reed angles, which would make the upper and lower lip points more vertically in alignment with each other. This, IMO, would certainly make double lip playing more comfortable. This is simply my observation and judgment call.

Post Edited (2023-09-04 23:18)

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