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Re: Lightening Up My Tongue

Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-05-22 02:47

I took some time this afternoon to re-read the whole section in Sprenkle & Ledet regarding embouchure and articulation. It's amazing how differently it reads to me now than it did when I was first starting out a few years ago.

In particular, I checked out the Page 14 reference given above, and in additon to what has already been cited, he adds, "In any case, tonguing squarely on the opening should be avoided."

Don't know how I missed that the first time through. He mentions the tonguing options as being on the bottom blade near the tip (which is my teacher's method), or on the corner -- and suggests that right-handed people would want to turn the reed a bit counterclockwise and tongue on the left corner (vice-versa for lefties).

I had tried right-corner tonguing yesterday. It was interesting, and clean, but for some reason, the tone was suffering. I tried left-corner tonguing today (I am a rightie), and I do believe I have found "my" technique! Wow! I was so happy with myself at practice today, I could hardly believe it. Nice to have a "good oboe" day.

The other thing that fairly jumped off the page at me today was his discussion of embouchure. Salient phrases:

"assume [the] embouchure as simply as possible";

"the feeling of this embouchure should be one of roundness";

"the embouchure should have a round shape of its own, instead of . . .a tight unyielding slot or a soft spongy mass in which the reed is buried";

"let the lower jaw drop";

"the mouth cavity should feel big";

"the muscles of the face, throat, and jaw need not participate".

My sentiments, exactly. And it only took me three years of trial and error and much horrible squawking -- some of it in public -- to figure it out.

I can't imagine what I was thinking when I read this book three years ago. Certainly not what I am thinking today. And three years from now?

Highly recommended reading.

Susan

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Lightening Up My Tongue new

ohsuzan

2006-05-12 02:39