Hi all,

I've been watching myself play in the mirror (not a pretty sight!) and I noticed from this (and felt) that I leak air either side of the mouthpiece when I play. Is this OK or should ALL of the air leaving my mouth be going down the mouthpiece because as hard as I try I cannot get it to do so for any length of time.

Thanks,

KK

I think you said that you've only been playing a very short time, so you'll probably find that as your embouchure strengthens the problem will go away. Don't worry too much about it, but do be aware that it's better NOT to be leaking air, and try to keep the seal around the mouthpiece secure for as long as possible each time you practice.

QUOTE (jo.clarinet @ Aug 24 2004, 08:36 PM)

I think you said that you've only been playing a very short time, so you'll probably find that as your embouchure strengthens the problem will go away. Don't worry too much about it, but do be aware that it's better NOT to be leaking air, and try to keep the seal around the mouthpiece secure for as long as possible each time you practice.

Thanks Jo. I've been playing around with it this evening and I think part of the problem was I had too much of the mouthpiece in my mouth.

It's problems like this that prove to me that I need a teacher, but having looked in the yellow pages, online and in the local paper, I just can't find one around here.

Is there a national database of music teachers or anything like that? I heard there was one on the Musician's Union website, but I looked around and couldn't find it.

im having a similar thing with embouchure, I must admit to ignoring it and thinking it'll come right in time, Im aware of it, but concerntrate on the technical playing thing more. Do you also leak out your nose?

I do and i find ear plugs up your nose a great help.
Try that when your playing in a mirror!!!

When you get tired you'll leak air anyway. Trouble is, the more you practise(sp?), you're mouth gets tired easily, and then you leak more air!

QUOTE (Komakino @ Aug 24 2004, 10:06 PM)

QUOTE (jo.clarinet @ Aug 24 2004, 08:36 PM) I think you said that you've only been playing a very short time, so you'll probably find that as your embouchure strengthens the problem will go away. Don't worry too much about it, but do be aware that it's better NOT to be leaking air, and try to keep the seal around the mouthpiece secure for as long as possible each time you practice. Thanks Jo. I've been playing around with it this evening and I think part of the problem was I had too much of the mouthpiece in my mouth. It's problems like this that prove to me that I need a teacher, but having looked in the yellow pages, online and in the local paper, I just can't find one around here. Is there a national database of music teachers or anything like that? I heard there was one on the Musician's Union website, but I looked around and couldn't find it.

www.musicteachers.co.uk is good

you could get an air leak light, put it in your mouth and plug it in, then when your leaking you'll see the light escaping. You would have to practice in a dark room though.

QUOTE (josax @ Aug 25 2004, 11:44 AM)

you could get an air leak light, put it in your mouth and plug it in, then when your leaking you'll see the light escaping. You would have to practice in a dark room though.

lol! but could you blow down it, AND hold a torch in your mouth?!

mini mag light, that it, thats the answer!
They're tiny!

light off your car key - even better they are even smaller !!

Have you tried local music shops?
They often have lists of teachers.

Komakino werabouts are you?

QUOTE (its so rock n roll @ Aug 25 2004, 06:16 PM)

Komakino werabouts are you?

I'm in Street, in Somerset, in South West England

QUOTE (Komakino @ Aug 25 2004, 06:27 PM)

I'm in Street, in Somerset, in South West England

OK then I can't help you with the teacher thingy sorry.
Somerset is kewl; Glastenbury!!!!!! lol
Alex
xxxx

QUOTE (its so rock n roll @ Aug 25 2004, 06:52 PM)

QUOTE (Komakino @ Aug 25 2004, 06:27 PM) I'm in Street, in Somerset, in South West England OK then I can't help you with the teacher thingy sorry. Somerset is kewl; Glastenbury!!!!!! lol Alex xxxx

Glastonbury is less than a mile from me - it's the next town on from Street....although the festival ground is actually in Pilton, about 5 miles from Glastonbury and closer to Shepton Mallet.