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Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by ceazer8299 on 2/8/2021, 2:21 pm

Hello...

This is a shot in the dark but has anyone heard of a technique where you (the teacher) applies pressure to the mp of a student to help raise the pitch up to an f# so the student can identify what the pressure is supposed to feel like?

There was a TMEA session several years back where this technique was taught, and I can't remember the name of the clinician.

Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by Hodor on 2/8/2021, 6:50 pm, in reply to "Clarinet mp/barrel technique "

I've done it. If you can move the mouthpiece around, they're not firm enough. It should be anchored to the top teeth.

I did it less this year due to COVID. I generally demonstrate it. "Here's my sound when my mouthpiece is loose." Then I pull the mouthpiece into my embouchure and the sound immediately gets better and more centered. And then I have them do the same.

We start it with mouthpiece and barrel. They hold it in the right and and pull it in. When they assemble the clarinet, I'll have them play open G with the left hand on the barrel and right hand on the bell, again pulling it in. As we learn hand position, they're eventually pulling the clarinet in with their right thumb. The right thumb and the embouchure and the only things you really need to hold the clarinet.

You don't form a firm embouchure by biting or tightening the lip muscles. You do it simply by keeping your embouchure set and pulling the mouthpiece in. The mouthpiece is like a doorstop and your embouchure is the opening under the door. The space doesn't get smaller or tighter, the doorstop just wedges its way in.

This and the angle of the clarinet is how you add more pressure without biting or using chin and/or lip muscles.

Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by Huh? on 2/8/2021, 9:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique "

What do you mean by pulling it in?

I (pre-Covid) would gently push the barrel in until they could play an F#. Also gently touch the back of the head, near the crown,towards the barrel. I always called it the sweet spot!

Using Tonal Energy to get the smiley face motivated them and many were able to figure it out themselves!

Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by Pretty common on 2/8/2021, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Clarinet mp/barrel technique "

I don't know if there's a name of it or anything. It's pretty common and a lot of us do that at the beginning of the year. We push it up against their teeth so they can feel it!

Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by Don't... on 2/8/2021, 3:03 pm, in reply to "Clarinet mp/barrel technique "

even think about it right now. Stay away. You will be covered by aerosol getting that close to a kid blowing on the mouthpiece and barrel not to mention touching it.

Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by PPE on 2/8/2021, 4:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique "

Double mask, one with filter.

Gloves.

Hand sanitizer.

Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique

Posted by Don't... on 2/9/2021, 7:25 am, in reply to "Re: Clarinet mp/barrel technique "

and if you go from kid to did you need to change gloves after every kid otherwise you are spreading by contact from kid to kid.

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