 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jo
Date: 2002-07-30 23:30
I have been playing the clarinet for about 5 years, but I never learned to toungue. Instead, I closed my jaw to press the reed to the mouthpiece. I am now trying to learn how to do it right, but when I practice, I get all light headed and dizzy. I used to have great tone and no trouble with breathing. What could it be that I'm doing wrong?
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-07-31 03:52
Are you starting out slowly? Don't expect to tongue fast 16th notes right away. Start out with whole notes. Hold an open G for four beats, then touch your tongue to the reed to mark a separation between that whole note and the next one. For me, touching the reed with the portion of my tongue past the tip works; you may have better results with the tip of your tongue. You'll probably start out with dull thuds separating your notes, but keep at it and gradually transition to half notes, quarter notes, and so forth. Your goal is to eventually have very clear, natural sounding separations, and to develop enough control that you can do regular, legato and staccato tonguing when required.
Don't be discouraged if it's slow going; you can do it!
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-07-31 04:00
Just to add, as was said in the "fast tounguers" thread further down -- it's the air that does all the work, not your tongue. The tongue is just a valve. Don't let your tongue play the notes. Just let it regulate the flow of air into the instrument.
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