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Re: Double lip

Author: Nelson
Date: 2020-11-22 14:09

The first teacher I went to back in 1958 was a fine player in the Central Band of the RAF. He advised me to try double lip saying "you'll never regret it". I took that advice and that's the path I've followed for 60 years. Happily, I get generous comments on my tone which is satisfying but I can't be absolutely sure Double Lip is one of the contributing factors. I have never used single lip.

I still believe I made the right choice at that time but the path to a 'comfortable state' playing in that fashion was filled with a sore lip, a wobbling instrument and temptation to stop the struggle and be like all my fellow players, and it can still be rather painful when things are full on. I'm told that my tone is 'broad, rich and creamy', but with the wonderful sounds I hear coming from one of our local pro orchestras, all Single Lip players, I'm feeling that DL can't lay claim to being the path to anything vastly different to the listener from that achievable using SL.

If playing with DL helps us to achieve our own ideal in terms of sound, then it's a great result. I believe it opens the oral cavity with the advantage of resonance (not loudness). Perhaps it allow a more direct 'oneness' with the instrument while at the same time avoiding those conducted vibrations through the resting teeth and gets rid of the need for the intervention of a protective patch?

But can DL lay claim to being 'better' in any way ? I believe it may have helped me to get close to what I once held as my ideal .....but now, 60 years on, I stand in awe at the superb sounds achieved most splendidly by fine SL players. Each of us will decide on the tone we want and, perhaps with help, how best to find a way to work towards it and what methods unlock the door for us.

I wouldn't imagine it isn't being introduced and taught by too many teachers which is probably why it's not the 'Norm'

Nelson

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Double lip new

Arnoldstang

2020-11-21 09:42