Clarinet Articulation: Do different syllables really make a difference?

There are many different pedagogical opinions on clarinet articulation and clarinet voicing. Throughout the years, I’ve had several students ask me if using different syllables when playing clarinet really make a difference, and I want to break it down for you.

Understanding articulation syllables

The most common syllables used for clarinet playing (such as “tah,” “too,” or “tee”) are composed of a consonant and a vowel.

The consonant (typically t or d for most commonly used clarinet syllables) controls the initial attack of the note. T offers a more direct and enunciated attack, whereas d is more subtle and diffused. You can also experiment with other syllables, although these are not commonly used when playing clarinet.

The vowel controls the tongue’s position in the mouth. Vowels such as “eee” raise the tongue, while “aaah” lower the tongue. The tongue’s position in the mouth will produce a different sound, and there are different schools of thought on which is ideal for clarinet playing.

So, what’s the best syllable to use when playing clarinet?

In short – I think it really depends on what note you’re trying to play. Some people prefer a high tongue position, others a lower tongue position. For me, I think it changes according to the notes and register you’re playing.

Let’s try an example. I want you to sing a low note (it doesn’t matter which one). Your tongue is probably lower in your mouth, more towards an “aah” vowel. Now, sing progressively higher notes. Do you feel your tongue getting higher in your mouth, towards the “eee” position? This is what I try to imitate when I play clarinet.

For example, I tend to use a lower tongue position (aah) on lower notes, and as I move to the upper registers, I allow my tongue to form more “eee” vowels.

How do you determine which consonant to use?

This largely depends on the musical context and the sound you’re trying to achieve. If you’re playing more accented passages (think a Sousa march), I would favor a T consonant. If you’re playing the Adagio from Mozart’s clarinet concerto, I would suggest a D consonant (or even breath attacks, in which the tongue makes no contact with the reed for an even more delicate response).

In short, there is no one correct syllable to use when playing clarinet. I encourage you to experiment with several different options, tailored to the music you’re performing, to see which provides the best results for you!

Leave a comment below with your thoughts!