 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2002-09-19 04:44
I have a new student. He is an elderly man who has taught himself how to play amazingly well in just three years. He likes to play by ear. He wants me to teach him some dixie riffs and runs. I asked him to play for me and I listened very carefully to what he was doing. He is right on! What I would like to do is have him open up his tone as it sounds very whispery to me. I am not sure how to go about doing this, or what I should say to him about it. He doesn't have any kind of respiratory problems. I don't want to hurt his feelings in any way, but I DO want him to get a louder, bigger tone. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can help him with this. Thanks so much.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-09-19 12:03
I have experienced the same difficulty, as an adult beginner.
Using a long tone exercise, I was encouraged to think of the various dynamics and how much air to 'parcel out' for any given measure.
Obviously, sfz takes more support than ppp.
I was directed to think of abdominal support as the fundamental,
now it sounds like a Lamaze class when I draw breath!
My guess, he's probably not drawing breath deeply nor supposting an embouchure sufficient to contain higher pressure levels.
Remind him that Sydney Bechet could be heard from four city blocks away, and could hold a note for 3 minutes (or more).
good onya being so nice to us old f**ts...
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-09-19 13:27
I wholeheartedly agree. Use long tones to both develop breath support and also to "shape" the sound you want.
You didn't comment on his mp/reed set-up or embouchure. Are they OK?
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-19 14:23
In addition to improved breath support, he probably needs to put a bit more mouthpiece in his mouth. He may be playing too close to the tip. Caution--too much mpc in mouth will cause uncontrolled squeeking. The desired position is just short of that point. Good luck.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-19 14:29
Also, use more right hand thumb upward pressure which will force mouthpiece into the embouchure a bit more securely. This often clears up a weak sound in that it forces a bit more mpc into the mouth and requires the embouchure to strengthen. You can do this for him by asking him to sustain a long tone and putting your forefinger under his thumb and pushing upward (gently). Hope this helps.
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-09-19 14:37
My teacher told me to "declaim" the phrases; "play it more like giving a public address so the sound speaks out to the audience." The key to changing my tone/sound lived more in my head than my lips.
-steve
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Author: Rene
Date: 2002-09-19 15:04
Don't be afraid to hurt his feelings. If he got the standing to teach himself clarinet, he will be able to take some advice.
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Author: werner
Date: 2002-09-19 17:22
He asked you to teach him riffs and runs.
Thats exactly what I would do in your case.
Of course some tips here and there
about how to sound a little more bigger
than he already does .. how could he resist?
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-09-19 19:37
Seems he has an interest in jazz. Is his current mouthpiece open enough for that and tied in with that, what reed does he plan on using with a more open mpc? Bob A
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-09-19 23:14
You mean that distinguished looking man with the white hair don't you...haha. I will refrain from adding some of the other clever thoughts that came to mind. For openers I think the comment to teach the guy what he has come to you for is on the mark. If you do that successfully he might then ask you how to open up his sound. If he does then I'd get into the mouthpiece/horn thing but I'd also offer the opinion that he might benefit from breathing exercises and some situps. Maybe the guy's only got one lung....who knows.
I'm 73 and they usually complain that I play too loud....as Teddy Roosvelt said, "carry a soft reed and a stiff diaphragm".
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Author: Ed Palalnker
Date: 2002-09-20 04:35
There are a dozen different things that he can be doing wrong. Throat closed, tongue to high, not breathing right, embouchure to restristing, take your choice. Also, he may simply not be using the right mouthpiece for him. Assuming you worked on everything else, did you? I suggest you have him try several different make and facing mouthpieces to see if he opens up on any of them. A real good exercise is 12ths. Playing low E and putting the register key down to get a B without closing the throat for the B. Using proper breathing first, good attach, good cres.and the dim and voicing on the B he can work on keeping his throat opened and fill his tone. Then do it on each note till he gets to the f to c. Bye! Ed Palanker
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-09-20 13:33
Just my own experience with volume- projection. I do long tone scales but start at PPP - a good excercise to just produce the tone at a softest whisper - then increase the volume to the loudest that I can play and gradually tail off again to a whisper. This exercise helps you control the tone- projection at any level. It may be hard for you student to control the tone at higher levels so he seeks the comfort level at a lower volume. Keeping good tone-intonation at higher levels is an acquired art. Good posture and excercises to use the entire chest-diaphram also help.
The Doctor
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-09-20 15:28
Also, you might encourage him to open his throat a bit more--like in a yawn and push the air through the instrument. Picture it like blowing through a straw all the way to the bottom and out. I highly recommend Keith Stein's book, The Art of Clarinet Playing, for any serious-minded beginner (or intermediate player). I think it's been mentioned here on the board before.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-09-20 17:45
Like smeling perfume or scent of flower, Brenda?
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-09-21 17:36
Play yourself and show what sound clarinet can give. That will be
an enlightenment to him.Clarinet has a very wide variety of nuances. To recognize that is the good starting point for further improvementB
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2002-09-22 02:47
Thanks to all of you for answering my question. I have checked his mouthpiece and reed, they are okay as is his clarinet (a Yamaha he inherited!). I have printed out all of these suggestions so I can study them further before out next lesson. Once again, thanks so much. This site is GOLD for me. Carol
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