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High Notes AND Tonguing

Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2001-10-20 01:33

I have been back at playing for about 7 months. I had been off for 20 years.

Well the high notes have been giving me fits for a while now. I just realized tonight that I CAN play the high notes pretty clean but not when I have to tongue them. I am transitioning away from anchor tonguing at the same time. I think I am off that but perhaps I am not tonguing properly or tonguing the high notes properly.

Is there some technique I might be missing here? Could my embouchere still be too weak to do this?

Well tomorrow is my lesson so I'll ask the teacher and post back here if she has any words of wisdom for me / us.

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RE: High Notes AND Tonguing

Author: Dee
Date: 2001-10-20 12:30

Make sure that you are *NOT* moving the jaw when you tongue. This is a separate problem from anchor tonguing however it is an extremely common problem and creates problems on high notes. On low notes, you can "get away with it" and so it is not noticeable there. Only the tongue should move.

High notes need a lot of air support. That is often more of a problem than embouchure development.

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RE: High Notes AND Tonguing

Author: ~ jerry
Date: 2001-10-20 14:41

Coincidentally I just read about this, this morning in Tom R.'s book. He recomends, getting "set" by setting the embouchure and proper posture, proper breathe (diaphram, whatever), keep the tongue on the tip of the read, and realease the air before realeasing the tongue. Practice this way untill you become accustomed to the technique. As Dee says, it's all about air speed.

One thing I've finally recognized, is that if you don't keep the back of the tongue raised -- like saying "key" -- you are less likely to get the air speed necessary for the higher notes. I'm still working on this myself.

Luck.

~ jerry

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RE: High Notes AND Tonguing

Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2001-10-21 00:18

Thanks for the responses.

I think I can support the notes...most of the time.
I'll have to see about jaw movement. I know I had that problem too.

I'll try the technique jerry suggested too and see if that helps.

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RE: High Notes AND Tonguing

Author: Carmen Izzo
Date: 2001-10-21 01:06

make sure that your upper lip has a great deal of control upon the mouthpiece, and do NOT be afraid to release a good deal of air behind the reed. Keep your tongue high up and make sure you articulate right at the tip of the reed.

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