 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetgiggirl
Date: 2006-10-16 10:47
I am having difficulty in producing a good clean attack to notes; a problem which worsens as the notes go higher. My teacher says part of the reason for this is that I am moving my embouchure as I start the note. I have watched myself in the mirror and noticed that I also have a twitch in my right cheek (where I have a dimple).
Has anyone come across this before? How do I get rid of it? I have the same problem on saxophone, but it doesn't seem quite so bad.
I am taking grade 6 exam in a few weeks time, I have been playing for about 6 years, but have only been taking clarinet lessons for around 5 months.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-10-16 15:26
Forget the twitch! The difficulties you describe about high notes are par for the course. Compared with saxophone clarinet is a demanding embouchure. Concentrating on the "twitch" will just distract your attention. It indicates fatigue, and is otherwise meaningless.
Play lots and lots of beautiful clear long tones, gradually working your way up the horn matching the next with the previous. Play each note so long that you run out of breath trying to hold the pitch and clarity of each tone.
Over time it will strengthen your embouchure and vital capacity (lung power) immensely.
Don't allow yourself to be distracted by things not central to producing a singing tone; if you can't yet do it on the upper notes it is not a penumbra of disaster. It only means you are not there yet and you need more time.
To paraphrase Andre Segovia, long tones "will solve all your problems".
Good luck!
b/
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Author: bassbuddy
Date: 2006-10-17 01:33
Oh yeah. Long tones (while they're probably my least favorite part of practice time) are probably the most beneficial exercise I do. They make you much stronger. Also, my teacher recomended I do a crescendo and decrescendo to cover all dynamic levels. This is particularly useful on the bass (my primary instrument- obviously-see name). If you really want to improve your lung power, pick up an alto or bass. When I go to Bb, I often find myself playing for an extremely long time and then having to let out air before I take another breath.
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Author: jmberch
Date: 2006-10-17 02:08
I think i know what your talking about. When i was in around 8th grade, i praticed very often and for long periods of time. I didn't practice long tones then...but after about 2 hours, air started coming out of the corners of my mouth and my cheeks were twitching. About a year ago, i started playing long tones, and in a few months, i could play for 4 hours at a time without a problem. Hope this helps.
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