Author: GMac
Date: 2005-11-25 03:49
Welcome to the forum oboegal!
I would personally say that the thing that will help the most for sure would be to get a private teacher. There is simply no substitute for someone looking right at your embouchure and hearing you and analyzing everything! As well, usually they will make your reeds for you, and design them specificially for your level and playing style. If that isn't an option, then definitely search around this board as there is lots of good advice floating around.
That certainly is a problem to have the reed closing down like that. If you're really stuck, soaking the reed in hot water will certainly open it up, but that's only temporary. Unfortunately, it sounds like you really need to find a different reedmaker! Either that, or see if he/she can make you some reeds with bigger openings. You never know, they might be able to accomodate that. Be careful though, the reed may not be too closed and you may simply be used to biting. Make sure the embouchure is correct first.
You didn't mention anything about where you put the reed on your lips...if you're looking for the most control and a warm, round, dark sound, make sure that you're way on the tip of the reed. Only put the tiniest amount possible on your lips and then roll both your lips in just enough to close the mouth without *ever* biting!! Make a nice round embouchure that's good and loose, and blow as hard as possible from as low in your body as possible (this means breathing from the very bottom of your stomach as well). Doing that should certainly help, having too much reed in your mouth will make good intonation virtually impossible and your upper range will certainly be thin and somewhat shrill. Hope this helps!
Graham
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