![]() ![]() ![]() However, notice the corners of your mouth climbing back towards your ears. Your chin will flatten the way a correct embouchure can use it. ![]() I use the “smile” description as a last resort to students who could not understand the concept of flattening the chin. However, the “look” of the chin is correct. If you insert a clarinet mouthpiece while smiling, you will have interminable air leaks. When you smile, the corners of the mouth move backward as if toward your ears. However, the “smile” description is not the best idea in teaching the clarinet embouchure. THE SMILE FALACY Sometimes, I have to use the smile to get a student to flatten their chin the way I want it. The reed should anchor the lip down in this position before or as you close the mouth down around the mouthpiece and reed. That is how the lower lip should form before you put the clarinet mouthpiece and reed on the lip. Even if you do not have your clarinet out right now, do this: Act like you are putting Chapstick on your lower lip. Looks like an old man who forgot his dentures. Again, read about the nice sweet spot above. Put what you think is too much mouthpiece in your mouth and pull out slowly. Your face will turn red because air has nowhere to go. Either no sound or a very thin, weak sound will come out with this poor clarinet embouchure. This will close off the reed not allowing many or any reed vibrations at all. WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR AN EXAMPLE OF TOO MUCH CLARINET IN THE MOUTH. Experiment with this in front of a mirror. You will find a place where you do not squeak anymore and make a big beautiful sound. Again, go to that point and incrementally (or a little bit at a time) pull the mouthpiece out. How do you know you have too much mouthpiece in the mouth? You will definitely squeak or squawk every time you try to make a sound. It is commonly described that if you put too much mouthpiece in your mouth, and then pull the mouthpiece out slowly, you will find a nice, sweet spot where you get a beautiful, full clarinet sound. Too much mouthpiece in mouth will sound like a goose. We’ll touch more on the tongue with articulation. ![]() If the tongue is on the reed, it will not vibrate which generates the clarinet sound. Ask your band director or clarinet teacher what you are doing wrong. You are using new muscles and they may tire quickly. If you are a beginning student and are trying really hard for a long time, give yourself proper rests. If you have this problem, your poor clarinet embouchure is not firm enough. You use so little muscle support in your face that spit and drool comes out of the corners of your mouth. ![]()
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