alto clarinet embouchure

[otomah]

Having just won one on ebay; would anyone care to comment on proper embouchure for the alto clarinet. Specifically:

1. angle of attack to the mouth
2. angle of attack of the air stream
3. position of tongue and speed of the airstream
4. relative tightness of the embouchure
5. position of corners of the mouth

I play both soprano clarinet and alto and tenor sax so comparisons to those embouchures would work to convey your ideas.

Lets not get into the double lip, single lip thing if possible.

What note should just the mouthpiece sound?

[Gordon (NZ)]

unlike sax, for any clarinet, pull the lower lip somewhat tightly just over the lower teeth (and against the chin) using some of the smile muscles, so the portion of lip covering the lower teeth is THIN, not a thickish cushion as for sax.

Then position the mouthpiece on the lip, place the upper teeth on, and then close the sides of the lip around the mouthpiece like a rubber band.

Angle: Head erect, and clarinet passing at or a bit beyond the knees, if the neck were straight, but it is not, so the body of the instrument is held close to vertical.

As with clarinets in general with respect to saxes... more air support, and firmer embouchure support, with support increasing significantly as you play higher.

[meandmysax]

I know what your talking about. I play alto clarinet. It is esential to tuck in the lower lip just as on the soprano. You should alson have more of the reed in your mouth than on the soprano. The front incisors should bite down on the top of the mouth piece. You shouldnt have to hold you head up to put the mouth piece in your mouth. If you are doing that, loosen up on the neck strap until the mouth peice is level with the lower lip. To maintain a constant pitch, keep your lips firm around the mouth piece but not too firm. It has been a long time since I played the alto clarinet and I dont have it in my possesion today because it belonged to my school. Therefore I cannot tell you exactly what it sounded like with the mouth piece alone. I hope I helped you.