 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SpyairOtaku
Date: 2014-09-19 04:07
I have played Bb for a long time and have started playing Eb. While I am able to voice almost all notes and keep them in tune (well, mostly), I am having issues with biting through my lower lip! I have never had a biting embouchure on the Bb, so I am unsure exactly how to correct this problem. It is incredibly painful after playing for a couple straight hours of rehearsal.
Also, should I try a different reed strength? If so, which direction should I try (I'm not able to buy reeds except for in boxes of 10, and I don't want to try something new and hate it).
Thanks!
Post Edited (2014-09-19 04:07)
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Author: Christopher Bush
Date: 2014-09-19 04:43
Queensbury! I'll be up there next week for Brahms 3 with the local symphony. I would be happy to meet with you and see if there's anything obvious I notice. Biting could be a response to any one of several inefficiencies of sound production. Just let me know...
Christopher Bush
Prof. of Clarinet - NYU
Princ. Clarinet - Glens Falls Symphony, Metro Chamber Orchestra
Director - NYU Composers Ensemble
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Author: elmo lewis
Date: 2014-09-20 02:51
It's normal to have to bite a little bit harder when playing Eb, especially for the high register. If there are no high notes its OK to use a softer reed (like in Bolero, for example). For something like Shostakovich 5 with lots of high notes, you'll probably need a hard reed and still have to bite a lot.
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Author: James S
Date: 2014-09-20 06:28
I would recommend against biting. The most important thing, to me at least, in eefer playing is making sure your Eb and Bb/A setups are very similar feeling. If they are similar enough it will minimize voicing/biting corrections and make everything more comfortable. I go so far as using cut Bb reeds for my Eb. The vamp is longer, which some say leads to stability issues, but I honestly haven't noticed.
James
Owner, James' Clarinet Shop
www.jamesclarinetshop.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-09-22 18:01
The Eb player in the Baltimore Symphony plays double lip, so much for biting. Unfortunatly I don't have an answer for you because it used to happen to me when I had to play it for any amount of time, the same when I had to play a lot of music in the extreme register on Bb. I always used a teeth protecter because I have sharp teeth and a strong jaw. No matter how much I tried I could not help but to "bite" a little bit so after playing for a while it would begin to hurt so I just always began using the protecter. Many clarinet players use something on their lower teeth. I always use floral tape, I fold a piece over three times and form it to my lower teeth, I used white so it didn't look funny but players use all types of material. Surgical tape, pieces of old tee shirts, etc.
Other than that you may have to experiment with different mouthpieces to find the right one for you. And take a bit more mouthpiece in your mouth, it might help prevent biting too much. Good luck, I wish I had the ultimate answer for you. People say don't bite but no one really can tell you how. It so depends on your teeth, muscles and jaw strength. Every person is different.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: shadow1
Date: 2014-09-25 05:09
I've heard that some players put leather on the bottom row of their teeth. I play a Buffet, 5rv, 4.5 V12
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Author: shadow1
Date: 2014-09-25 05:13
And I've had no troubles, but I never have to bite. I can play up to G with four ledger lines without biting, but to squeeze out the A above that G I have to bite. been playing my eefer for almost a year
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-09-26 13:11
Ed Palanker wrote:
> .... Many clarinet players use something on their lower teeth. I
> always use floral tape, I fold a piece over three times and form it to my
> lower teeth, I used white so it didn't look funny but players use all types of
> material. Surgical tape, pieces of old tee shirts, etc.
quite a collection; real eyeopener!
Ezo denture cushions are supposedly very good. Cut in pieces, rinse and reuse
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/ezo-lower-denture-cushions,-heavy/ID=prod1724-product
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