Articulation
Note: Much more to come soon.
Clean, crisp articulation is your basic, default articulation, which you can vary for infinite variety depending on your musical needs. Mastering basic articulation is a two-step process and it is important not to jump to step two early. More to come, but for now:
"Tip of the tongue to the tip of the reed" is what you'll often hear, though some people don't really mean it. I do. In basic articulation, you also stop the note with your tongue most of the time, and blow against it, maintaining constant pressure from your diaphragm.
In the following video clip, please notice several things. First, for tone, notice how high my tongue is in my mouth and how forward and close to the ridge of bone behind the teeth. This is to place the tongue in the "sh" position for fast air, and a beautiful, crystalline tone. Second, notice that my tongue hits the TIP of the reed AND mouthpiece each time, and it STAYS there for staccato while I blow against my tongue which is closing off the mouthpiece/reed. Notice the movement of the reed, and its vibrations when air moves through it. Also notice that for long notes and legato that the tongue returns to its "long tone" position. This is not something to focus on and try to duplicate, but just a natural occourance.
Staccato, Staccato, Legato (WMV file)