 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: slocum
Date: 2002-12-15 23:16
I have had all sorts of articulation problems since I started playing clarinet fourteen (WOW!) years ago. I started out tonguing over my mouthpiece to just behind my top front teeth. I changed that four years after I started doing it. However, I changed to anchor tonguing. Good tone, lack of serious competition from other clarinets, and lack of knowledgeable teachers let me get away with it. I`m now trying to correct. I`ve read up on it, and exercises that I can do to help correct it. Ken Shaw`s post was very insightful (http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=6899&t=6887 Sorry, I don't know html to make the link).
My question, or request, is for suggestions on what I should do as I`m fixing this. Practice makes perfect, but few ensembles are willing to go at a snail`s pace just so I can tongue correctly. I`ve been trying to use Tip-to-tip in slower sections of the ensemble pieces I play, but I`m just not able to do that for faster sections. Then, once I return to the comfort of anchor tonguing, my mouth is very reluctant to get in tip-to-tip position.
I`m at the point now where I can hear the difference between anchor tonguing and tip-to-tip in myself and others around me; it`s quite frustrating. I occasionally get discouraged, but I continue to work on my own. What can I do in rehearsals and performances to promote tip-to-tip tonguing when I still have to use anchor tonguing for fast passages?
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2002-12-16 01:29
I had to make this change also during my first year as a music major, but I had the luck to discover the problem right toward the beginning of summer--and had three months to work on it without the pressure of ensembles. The best thing I can say to you, is do whatever works for the sake of the ensemble, and continue your practice of correct technique when you are alone. It should only take a month or so to get used to the new tonguing, so don't worry about it if you have to go back to what works temporarily in a rehearsal. Give yourself some grace!
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Author: Mario
Date: 2002-12-16 01:51
In January, I resumed taking lessons (after many years of solo studying). At my first lesson, I informed my teacher that I was tonguing "on the lip" (after years of compensating, it was not immediately obvious to the external observer).
We proceeded to change that, week after week, using tonguing exercises from Rose.
As of today, this is no longer a problem. I tongue where it should. It is must faster, crisp, precise, and it sounds much better. While I still have much to learn articulation-wise, this particular aspect of my technique is at the same level as the rest (not behind, not ahead). These days, we are fine-tuning tongue pressure, speed and placement, making sure I keep voicing in the process.
At my last lesson, we ended up discuting interpretation without realizing that we were no longer talking tonguing.
As the same time, we proceeded to alter so-ever slightly many other things (general position, hand placement and movement, breathing, voicing, etc.).
As I take stock of what I learned in the last 12 months, it is very encouraging year. For me at least, it seems that about one year was required to get rid of old habits and learn new ones.
There were moments earlier this year where my body simply did not know what to do any more, and was totally confused between old and new. Things started falling into place in September, with the rest of the year involved in fine tuning. Since the summer was a relax preriod study-wise, I suspect my body actually stabilised a bit as an inconscious process.
So, take heart. Changing tonguing will take time and there will be moments of pure frustration. But it can be done.
PS: Next year, it looks as though I will be pushing the speed envelop everywhere, while learning to maintain a rigorous steady inner beat, and voicing, voicing, voicing..... I will also be slowing down in order to develop my legato fingering with pure fluid linkages across all intervals.
PPS: I really have to learn to relax during my lessons with my teacher. I always give him 75% of what I can do because of nerve. I wish he could hear me when everything works well with less pressure.
You see, he is a Grand Master with 20 years of professional experience. He studied with Marcellus and is simply an outstanding musician. The chasm betwen him and me is simply immense. This is quite humbling yet educational.
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Author: Bob Hoit
Date: 2002-12-16 02:46
Tounging...
I too found myslef having to change my approach to tounging in my freshman year of college. I had the benefit of a teacher who was able to simplify everything down to basic models and then it is a "simple" matter of emulating those models. I say simply.. but i am still and will forever be workign on perfecting them as we all try to perfect out playing.
But i digress, the point is you have 2 playing modes. Your practice mode where you take everything you do and examine it under excruciating detail, and your playing mode. Unless you have more time than I, you are never going to be able to perfect anythgin beofre you have to play in an orchestra or ensemble or some sort of concert. So your goal should be to improve as much as possible in your practice setting, but when you are required to perform.. perform. Do whatever it takes to get it done. Take care in noting where you have to diverge form the "correct" method of playing so you can examine why there are certian situations that inspire "incorrect" playing from you. The next time you have a practice session work on those part more than the otehr parts. Eventually you will erradicate the incorrect playing.
Good luck, i know it is fustrating... we all do.
cheers
bob
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Author: William
Date: 2002-12-16 14:49
"Practice makes perfect, but few ensembles are willing to go at a snail`s pace just so I can tongue correctly."
Remember the old saying, "analysis is paralysis." If you become overly concerned with doing everything correctly, it inhibits initiating any effective performance. I would recommend just switching to your new articulative technique full time (cold turkey, so to speak) realizing that in the begining, not everything is going to be perfect. But in the long run, it will be more effectine in making the full-time switch than if you continue "switch hitting" between anchor and tip-to-tip. Like the sports ad says, "Just Do It!!" (and be consistant) Good Luck
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-12-16 20:13
Slocum -
I'm glad you found my posting helpful.
Remember that you never lose the ability to anchor-tongue -- just learn something new. Work on tip-to-tip in the practice room, but don't hesitate to use what works in your ensemble (which is what I did). After a couple of weeks, you'll gain enough confidence to make the switch.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Nick
Date: 2002-12-16 20:27
Can someone please tell me the difference between all these tonguing terms--anchor, tip-to-tip? I've never heard these before. I seriously worry that I am tonguing incorrectly.
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Author: dennis
Date: 2002-12-17 00:05
nick
Rather than 'splain lucy', you may want to read the section on Tonguing in Peter Hadcock's book THE WORKING CLARINETIST.
You may choose to purchase a copy or if your local Music School Library carries it, ckeck it out.
regards
d
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Author: shep
Date: 2002-12-17 07:20
Don't forget your breath support! When I changed from anchor tounging to tip-to-tip, I concentrated so hard on the actual tounge that I ended up creating a breath support problem.
IMHO, keep up a good flow of steady air and make sure you are blowing through the phrases. The tip-to-tip tounging works so much better with good breath support. Also, playing difficult passages IN CONTEXT WITH GOOD BREATH SUPPORT helps a lot, too.
My recommendation, once you've woodshedded an exercise, play through it a couple of time WITH NO TOUNGING to reinforce the idea of good breath support, and then try the passage with the same support AND the tip-to-tip tounging. I was suprised how much easier this tounging technique became when practicing this way.
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Author: Vicky
Date: 2002-12-28 05:01
Hi!
I anchor toung as well. I went through the whole prosses last year of learning the "correct" way to toung. Then, I came to realize, that I really don't believe in a "correct" way to toung. I actually can toung faster and crisper with anchor tounging. I learned how to use what I have to my best. And now, I can toung faster than a lot of people that toung with the tip of their toung. It is all in what works for you! Good luck!
Vicky
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