 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2003-01-02 07:31
I realize that there was just a post about this from the the other end, but I didn't want to change the topic of that post. Tonguing is a major problem for me right now. I don't/didn't tongue correctly if at all. I just got a decent teacher this year (I've played for 5 years, not long, I know) But I built up a ton of habits how to compensate for not really tonguing. I did tongue to some extent when it was repeated notes, but more throat and air when it involved moving my fingers. Now, I've gained respect and skill (I made state last year, and was concert mistress as a freshman) using my old technique, which is scary, so it's really hard and I think I'm subconsiously unwilling to learn the other way. Plus, I sound worse because I'm not good at all at tonguing correctly, so when I am in front of people I play the old way to keep up my rep. It's bad, I know when I'm playing I should strive for self improvement rather than just what people think, and I really am trying, but what could I do to improve in this area? My teacher is stumped, he's given me a large variety of exercises and things to do with and without the clarinet, and I'm still doing badly. I'll occasionally do really well, but the old habits will come back swiftly, especially when I am tired.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2003-01-02 14:19
You're being your own worst enemy. Yes, tonguing is difficult, but if you relax, it will come around: correctly. It just like technique. The more you consistently work on it, the better you will get.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2003-01-02 14:34
Your teachers' exercises will help you a lot too.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-01-02 14:34
"so when I am in front of people I play the old way to keep up my rep. "
I recommend quiting the "old way" right now--cold turkey--and go exclussively with the new and improved method of tonguing. It may be awkward at first, but there is no time like the presence for change. You may even be surprised how fast the new style becomes "second nature" for you.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-01-02 14:48
"so when I am in front of people I play the old way to keep up my rep. "
If you are going to fix this problem, you have to realise and accept right now that you are sure enough to sound like *bleep* for a while - perhaps a long while, who knows. You need to work with your teacher, and hide away in a practice room and work work work for months. Don't play for for people during this time unless it is completely unavoidable.
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Author: tom piercy
Date: 2003-01-02 15:57
I recently had a new student come to me with an articulation problem. This student had been playing several years without private instruction and had been articulating by tonguing the roof of his mouth and not the reed.
I told him immediately that he must stop doing that now - NEVER tongue that way again. (Double tonguing by using the roof of the mouth is a different subject; I'm discussing single tongue to reed articulation.) We worked on the correct way to articulate which he picked up immediately and quite well. I told him that continuing the bad habit now that he knew how to tongue correctly was a waste of time. His tonguing has progressed to a much better level than it was previously. He plays quite a bit in ensembles and I know it was hard and frustrating to switch articulation habits, but it had to be done.
My advice: Make the needed changes - the sooner the better. The successful outcome is worth the effort.
Tom Piercy
thomaspiercy.com
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Author: Mike
Date: 2003-01-02 16:16
Do you remember when you learned how to form the correct embouchure? It was hard, too, at first. I don't know about your teacher, but mine said there was no point playing if I wasn't going to play with the right embouchure. I, like you, started taking lessons late and had picked up a lot of bad habbits. My teacher insisted that I only play long tones for a while while. Talk about boring! I listened to what she said, even when my parents had a guest over and wanted me to play a piece for her. It was very hard for my parents to understand why I wouldn't make this one exception. After all, what harm would it do...who would know? I refused because I was determined to learn how to play correctly.
New Year's is a great time for resolutions. Make it a resolution to tongue correctly from now on, and you will. No more cheating. Every time you do it your old way, you take two steps back. You might have moderate success now, but without the proper technique, you will never get as far as with it. Think about the Scherzo from Midsummer Night's Dream.
PS--Now people remark all the time on my textbook perfect embouchure. You can do it too!
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Author: james
Date: 2003-01-03 18:30
Wow. I really sympathize with you. Tonguing was my biggest problem and my largest obstacle to over come. I swear I had days when I didn’t even think I would ever being able to break the “wall” down. Also to make matters worse I couldn’t tongue fast at all. Like I was stumped at sixteenth notes. This all like all freshman year. Some how i was able to get pretty far in districts and stuff too. Good sound can cover a lot of stuff. Anyhow three years later some how I got over it. It is for my the biggest triumph I have ever had. Even if i ever got a big orchestral job, it wouldn’t be as big of a success as for me learning how to tongue and to tongue somewhat fast (like sixteenths at 144-148).
I accidentally deleted my whole buddy list about a month ago. IM me sometime and we can talk, maybe I can pass on a few ideas that worked me on to you.
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