Double lip woes will turn into benefits, patience!!!

Hi Mr. Friedland:!
> I have been playing clarinet for 2 years. I have been using the single-lip
> embouchure and i tend to bite real hard into my lower lip. Recently,i got
> to know about the double-lip embouchre. I tried to kick the habit of
> biting by switching to the double-lip embouchure. I followed the
> instructions given on the net. However, no matter how i try, i’ll always
> be airy and bite into my upper lip. I suspect that i am doing it the wrong
> way. Can you please provide me with more specific details or if possible,
> show me an image? I really need your help! Thnk you a milloin times!!
>
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Hi Candice:
You are not going to be able to use any image or picture as you ask. You
must rely on only your mouth, your teeth, and the strength of your reeds.
Double lip takes time, much time, many tries, and cannot happen in one shot,
or even ten.
You must use softer reeds, with ress resistance. Your clarinet will fall
out of your hand on throat f and high c because you cannot bite, not one
bit, one of the great benefits of double lip, and why you hurt when you
play.
Yes, you are biting.Just start all over again, and play for only ten
minutes, on notes that you hold on to the clarinet to achieve, not f or high
c.
Take your time, take your time, and takes many breaks and think about what
you have done how much it hurts. It must not hurt.
It is the most natural embouchure and will work unless you have terribly
crooked jagged teeth.
Go slowly, go slowly, and measure you progress carefully. You can do it. Be very patient and it will come.
good luck, s

>

Returning to the fold

Dear Mr. Friedland,

I just spent an hour or so reading your website. It is very
inspiring…and sparked a fire that dwindled years ago. You see,
I used to be a pretty good clarinet student…eventually playing in
4-5 groups during a music minor. Anyway, after 15 years I
set down the instrument and have only rarely played in the
past 10 years.

Anyway, these days I am older and less distracted.
Here’s what I found in the closet: a Yamaha ycl-72, a WELL worn
Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, and a couple of boxes of (used)
Vandoren 3.5 reeds. Nothing has been ever been repadded,
oiled, etc. What would you recommend (at least on the
equipment side)?

Thanks,
-John
>——————————————————————–
>Hi John:
I would recommend that the 72 is a great instrument/used to be the top of
their line.I had a set. . Depends on where you live. If in a humid area,
nothing. Make sure the joints are not swollen or have shrunk. You may have
to get a box of reeds, but surprisingly, after a lifetime, sometimes they
play when they would not have fresh from the box.
I am excited for you, because it is a good horn. I first had a set of 62s
then a set of 72s as I recall because I used to have access to anything I
wanted to try for as long as I wished.
Thanks for your note, and good luck, start slowly, make sure your chops are
where they should be, and enjoy your clarenaissance.
best,
sf

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