 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-03-24 03:09
Two weeks ago I thought i had solved the biting problem for good, but because I'm coming off such a long lay-off my embrasure was so weak I simply had to do everything right just in order to keep from grunting or squeaking. However my mouth and cheek musculature has strengthened so much in just two weeks that I now find myself playing for an hour at a time, loving every technical exercise and every scale or simple tune. I can play for longer periods without getting tired mouth syndrome. Now even when I play long tones or simple tonguing exercises, I feel I'm using more jaw pressure than I used before and more than I believe is ideal. For that one week earlier this month, I could relax my jaw and just attempt my best embrasure and everything felt heavenly. I'm aiming for a natural firm embrasure with barely any jaw pressure so that not only do I not feel that I'm applying much pressure from underneath but so that I also don't feel my upper teeth pushing down overly either.
Do other musicians feel that their ideal embrasure is so elusive too? It didn't take me long to realize that high notes (or any other notes for that matter) don't speak if you restrict the reed with your lower jaw, but somehow once again, I seem to be applying force from the top that feels excessive. My tone is getting better day by day, but the tension keeps creeping back in. I can't believe that the best feeling of the mpc in the mouth is supposed to feel like such a monumental effort.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mvjohnso
Date: 2012-03-24 04:12
The quest for the perfect embouchure is a never ending one. One is either in the perpetual quest for it; or if you are so lucky to achieve it, then you must keep practicing. Because, muscles will unfortunately atrophy. But the good news is eventually playing normally for an hour will be nothing, but you may want to play for even longer, or even higher, or with more embrasure related effects. And, that is why we have long tones.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hartt
Date: 2012-03-24 06:00
play double lip.........you'll stop biting real fast
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2012-03-24 13:05
For an interesting, and slightly different perspective on clarinet and saxophone embouchures (and other concepts as well), these Joe Allard videos are worth watching.
http://saxophonistisches.de/joe-allard-the-master-speaks/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-03-24 21:24
There is no one perfect embouchure for all. Depends on many factors, jaw strenght, teeth size and formation, thickness of lip etc. The general principal is the same of course. Trying to allow the reed to vibrate, proper air direction, no interference. Try to move your embouchure in a forward position as if you're puckering for whistling instead of pulling back too much. Of course you have to keep the general shape around the mouthpiece and not go to much forward. Also keep your upper lip firm on the top of the MP to help support it and prevent the air from leaking. It is a good idea to play double lip a few mintures a day to get the feeling of supporting without pressure and getting the seal around the MP. Also, experiment with how much or little lower lip to use. I keep my teeth lower having more lower lip in my mouth, many do the opposite. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
