The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Voicing on German system clarinet

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-11-12 03:05

Well, let me address, "just blow." This is really a comparison against the US players, many of whom have an obsession with embouchure. I lived this with all the "shoulds" and "have to(s)" I heard in lessons and master classes. The quote came from Bas DeJong who had at one time represented the Viotto mouthpieces. He and some fellow Dutch players were more than a little amused by the American players and the embouchure fixation. After some back and fourth with Bas, he did concede that there is a modicum of support required by the lips, but not nearly what many across the Pond do as a matter of course.

Now, without having played a German mouthpiece with German 2 1/2 strength reed (Vandoren White Master Traditionals are just fine) you would not even be able to conceive of the result. I was even a skeptic after my very first trial.........and rather dismissive. HOWEVER, much later that night after the hour or so I played on the mouthpiece, I realized in retrospect despite how it felt (and it felt like a beginner set up), I recalled that though a bit soft, the sound was very pleasant and resonant and I was able to achieve a wide dynamic range throughout the full range of the horn. It did take me a few weeks to realize some of the potential and almost six months to really get into the swing of things. I have since gone back to a French set up, but always with the idea that I will make the combination as easy and effortless as possible.

I don't think in terms of voicing, never have. There was a video of a fairly well known US pedagog that hit the nail on the head about finding that sweet spot in air support. I personally only use air support to change air speed from register to register. If you are careful to not change anything about your embouchure at all, you can move your tongue ALL AROUND your mouth with virtually no effect on the sound whatsoever. You then have to ask yourself if there is really anything to the voicing thing (outside of changing air speed by changing the volume of the oral cavity).

So you can have a great sound on either French of German mouthpiece configurations by "just blowing." And I would say that that is probably the best way to go.

..................Paul Aviles

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics