If you want to introduce the Clarytone to people for the first time, I have found that doing it the following way really works well and highlights the magic of the Clarytone :
- Turn your back on your listeners(alternatively they can just close their eyes) and play something familiar that you can do well for about 20 – 30 seconds……ask them to tell you what it sounds like….most people think it is a flute, recorder or penny whistle…..be sure not to tell them it is a wind instrument and especially that you are using your nose to generate the sound.
- Now show them the instrument and get there response
- Play it a again for a few second while they are watching you and then ask them how they think the sounds are being created…..virtually everyone will think you are blowing into using your mouth.
- Now reveal to them that you are using your nose and that doing this has the following advantages…….air from your nose is much cleaner than the air from your lungs because it is being filtered and because there is much less bacteria in the mouth than in the nose…..a natural breathing cycle is being created combining inhalation and exhalation through the nose(also mouth inhalation)…..with conventional wind instruments this does not happen and is restricted to nose inhalation and mouth exhalation(bagpipes involve mouth inhalation and exhalation)…..establishing a whole new neural pathway and learning to accurately and delicately control and trust this beautiful and pure flow of air that creates pristine notes.
Sounds for thought : Playing the Clarytone is a natural extension of the singing voice. Humming a tune/ song essentially involves singing or sounding through the nose instead of the mouth. Playing the Clarytone simultaneously integrates both humming and singing actions. The lungs generate the airflow, the nose channels the air into the Clarytone and mouth, the lips, mouth and throat resonate and mould the airflow and finally the Clarytone fipple produces or births the very clear and beautiful sounds that emerge. In addition to the dozens of musical notes that can be produced it is also possible to simultaneously hum or chant while playing the Clarytone creating a remarkable variety of special sound effects, bird calls, whistles and harmonic overtones