 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Corvuscorona
Date: 2005-11-08 18:09
First my background. I picked up the clarinet again after a 25 years hiatus. I play only for myself, no teacher yet.
I read with interest all the posts on the lower lip pain, but can't find anything on the face pain. I do get that too, a little bit, but I think it is normal at this stage. The pain I am talking about is of all the muscles around the mouth and jaw. They hurt! They burn! I need to know if I am doing something wrong because it doesn't make sense to suffer that much to play the clarinet? Or maybe it does???
When I was young I was more interested in technique than the tone, now it is the opposite. I do a lot of long tones because I love to listen to the beautiful sound of the clarinet and I am obsessed with getting the perfect tone. So I practice about 10-15mn of long notes, then that is when the pain becomes excruciating. After I still do 15 minutes of scales but after that torture I have to quit for the day, I never get to do any fun stuff like studies or music.
What is wrong? Will it go away with time? Do I have a wrong set-up for a beginner (Pomarico ruby crystal, VD 3.5, BG revelation lig). I don't bite and my tone IS beautiful. But it hurts too much to keep it that way. I tried a B45 and some other beginner mouthpieces with softer reeds, it doesn't help and I only get a less rich and fullfiling tone.
Any names of no-so-expensive teachers in Montreal would be greatily appreciated too.
merci!
Dominique
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2005-11-08 18:27
See a doctor first and rule out any medical problems. After you've done that, please come back and tell us the results - I'll unlock the thread. If the doctor gives you a clean bill of health then we can explore other things - but be advised, burning pain is not normal.
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