Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • December 2014
13
Audible Issue
Probable Cause
Embouchure Step(s) to Review
High notes don’t speak easily Not enough of the reed is in the
mouth. The bottom teeth need to
be in front of the top teeth at all
times.
1. Line up your teeth
5. Move your bottom jaw forward
and bring your corners in to
make a seal
Undertone audible when playing
extremely soft
Not enough of the reed is in the
mouth. The bottom teeth need to
be in front of the top teeth at all
times.
1. Line up your teeth
5. Move your bottom jaw
forward and bring your corners
in to make a seal
Sound is pinched or extremely
thin
Either too much lip is rolled
over the lower teeth or the jaw is
collapsing.
2. Open as wide as your finger
3. Roll to the color change
Sound seems to lack color and
is dull
Likely too much lip is rolled over
the lower teeth, but biting could
be contributing to this as well.
2. Open as wide as your finger
3. Roll to the color change
Sound is small, but the quality is
good
Not enough mouthpiece is in the
mouth.
4. Place the mouthpiece
Uncontrollable speak
Too much mouthpiece is in the
mouth.
4. Place the mouthpiece against
the top teeth only
Quality of the sound is spread Tongue is too low in the mouth. 6. Blow “Shh!”
Clarinetist Phillip O. Paglialonga teaches at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He is a founding member of the PEN Trio (www.PENtrio.
com) which regularly tours throughout the United States and is represented by Price Rubin & Partners. In the summer months Dr. Paglialonga
is on the faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. More information about Dr. Paglialonga is available on his website (www.
thefrstgissilent.com).
Forming a Single Lip Clarinet Embouchure