Klarinet Archive - Posting 000443.txt from 1995/06

From: Chad Smith <csmith@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: squeaks
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 13:05:24 -0400

Hi Linda!

I don't think that a reed is ever _really_ squeak-prone; the majority of
squeaks from the younger player come from incorrect embouchure formation.
Usually, a squeak results from mis-alignment of the teeth. As you may or may
not know, the top teeth should be in front of the bottom teeth. If the teeth
are even, the bottom teeth will be too low on the reed, and squeaks will
inevitably result as soon as you play anything out of the chalumeau register,
where the reed begins to vibrate with a higher frequency, higher up on the
reed. The higher you play on your horn, the less amount of noticeable reed
vibration there is. In other words, the lower the note, the bigger the
vibration, thus the less likely a squeak can overcome the larger vibration.

Oftentimes, squeaks are merely overtones, that can be avoided through simple
exercises. Try playing a low C, and then without adding the register key,
overblowing a G, then without moving the first finger, left hand, overblowing
again to get the E. Notice that each time slightly more pressure is added
against the reed. This pressure results in "squeaks" a lot when slurring
down to a lower note from one above the staff, i.e., slurring from a G above
the staff to an open G will often result in getting the overblown D, a result
of too much pressure against the reed. The aforementioned exercise should also
be repeated with A/E/C#, Bb/F/D, B/F#/D#, etc. to D/A/F#.

This is my first attempt at trying to formally explain squeaks in such a manner,
and I'm sure that you'll get many more, probably more eloquent and informative
explanations than mine, but I hope I helped you out some!

-chad smith