The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: suavkue
Date: 2010-11-28 21:34
So, given the break that I just had this last week, I didn't practice - and right now, I'm trying to redevelop my embouchure. It seems to be going well right now, but I just noticed something that I must have been doing for a long time: when I get to the altissimo B and C (B6 and C7, if my numbering is correct), my lower jaw gets extremely tense for some reason. I remember having to break this habit for going from the C to D (C6 to D6, if my numbering is correct) all those years ago; how would I fix it for this register?
(I do play with a double lip embouchure.)
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My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-11-28 22:58
For higher note control and intonation control you need to be able to engage more upper lip muscle. Since you use double lip, this should be even easier for you, just remember to ACTIVELY engage the upper lip.
............Paul Aviles
P.S. OH yes, and a bit more air as well up there.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-11-28 23:48
Make sure you're pulling both lips firmly around the mouthpiece and back over your teeth and that you're applying enough support with your right thumb so the mouthpiece isn't subtly (or not so subtly) slipping downward away from you. Tom Ridenour refers to this, I think, as "snugging in" and it becomes more critical the higher you go. Without firm contact between both lips and the teeth they cover (and between the mouthpiece/reed and the lips) response and focus can suffer and it's easy to imagine trying to compensate with more jaw tension.
Karl
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