 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: michaellee94
Date: 2017-05-16 23:14
My two top central incisors aren't quite aligned with each other (the right one is further forward than the left one, which is roughly aligned with the right lateral incisor). I've just realized that when I play, my mouthpiece sits slightly further to the right in my mouth so that I'm holding it directly beneath the right central incisor, and my bottom jaw follows the mouthpiece so that the reed rests on my lower lip above the middle of my lower set of teeth (between the two lower central incisors). As it is, I have a bad air leak in my embouchure on the left side. Could this be due to the way my jaws are aligned? Is there anything to be gained by trying to fix my teeth so that I can get the mouthpiece perfectly in the center of my mouth? If not, is there anything I should do to fix the air leak in my embouchure?
Post Edited (2017-05-16 23:18)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-05-16 23:34
I don't think anything as costly and invasive as straightening your teeth is necessary unless your tooth alignment is causing you other problems than clarinet-related ones.
My first thought is to have your dentist mold a removable plastic cover to fit over your upper incisors to create a flat, even surface. Then you might be able to re-orient your embouchure so your mouthpiece is centered and your lower jaw isn't shifting sideways.
You might be able to test this yourself with denture pads like EZO or Seabod that you can form yourself (they're made of wax and gauze). It will involve breaking some long-standing habits you've formed to compensate for the uneven top teeth.
I have had many students who played slightly to the side and didn't have a problem with air leaking around the mouthpiece, so I'm not sure you can't work on your leak directly, but evening out the top surface may involve less fussing. It will certainly be cheaper than moving your teeth.
Karl
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2017-05-17 00:24
Unless you're experiencing pain, I'd probably try to figure out how to make it work for your situation. Here are two examples of pros who have adopted unorthodox instrument position for whatever reason(s):
Here's Aurora Nealand on Sop Sax playing out of the side of her mouth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9c3qgtn4Mw&t=26s
Here's Sando Benko playing out of the side of his mouth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Gmmu2ligI
Best of luck though - whatever you decide. I'm sure (like with Karl's advice already provided) you'll receive plenty of great advice here!
Fuzzy
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-05-17 05:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA5y1u900yQ
Offcenter and sounds/plays great. I'd love to take some lessons from him one day! Heard him live, heard him conduct a masterclass, and he just seemed down to earth and fantastic! Maybe one day!
As per the air leak, try thinking of your lips and embouchure as an O-ring. They constrict and their sole purpose is to keep the air headed through the clarinet and blocking its escape. Some people think of a "smile" and pulling the corners of their mouth back, I think of an "O" and constrict the corners of my mouth in towards the mouthpiece. This has given me the best and most endurable method to prevent air leakage.
Alexi
PS - I wouldn't worry about any permanent fixing like teeth or jaw unless you're in pain. And if it happens, then check with a doctor. Air leakage is common and can be fixed with slight tweaks and building of muscles/endurance. Don't consider surgery QUITE yet!!!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-05-18 10:42
In my opinion your embouchure is set wrong. Seems like your upper lip muscles are weak and you actually have the wrong embouchure setup. Playing slightly off to one side is OK. But buy a mirror and try to keep an eye on it. Put the mirror on your practice stand. Something every player should use, to the advanced pro.
So what do you do? The famous Robert Marcellus switched to a double lip while playing in the National Symphony, because Iggie Gennusa played with a double lip embouchure and he was said to perhaps have the finest sound in the country.
Switching even part-time will surely fix the air leak and and develop the proper embouchure. It solves so many problems. The next thing is to get your tongue as close to the reed as possible. This moves your lower jaw into its proper position and of course will also develop a fast tongue and a wonderful sound. Not my words of wisdom but directly from Bob Marcellus. In just a week you should feel and hear the difference. In a year you may have the best sound around. After a few years Bob did switch to a single lip, but I'm not sure why. He had teeth issues, lost them to diabetes and he did feel he sounded the same playing single lip and double lip. He also developed a great embouchure during this time. Maybe 6 years?
If this doesn't work after a few months see a dentist and have something made. Until then you might want to try a few layers of cigarette paper placed over your teeth, but try the double lip option first.
I'm not sure what mouthpiece and reed setup you are using. Don't play on a hard setup, nor a soft setup.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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