Klarinet Archive - Posting 000006.txt from 1995/09

From: Tom Ascher <U15310@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: E + F# above the staff
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 1995 18:04:46 -0400

Jay,

>From one amateur to another I might have some insight, in that I've tended
to have the same or similar problem...

Several things that I've found help:

1)
I bought a new clarinet, a Leblanc which seems to be easier on the notes above
the high C than other brands.

2)
I've found that reeds out of the box are unfinished and unrefined when it comes
to high notes. Using 600 weight sand paper, gently smoothing the entire vamp,
then using the same weight, thinning the very tip seems to make the high notes
easier to start and hold with less "bite" and more gentle blowing.

3)
Using a mouthpiece with a narrower aperture.

4)
Practicing blowing, rather than "biting" when starting and holding the high
notes gives good results, but the ability to do this seems very much
dependent on the instrument, mouthpiece, and reeds as mentioned.

It'll be interesting to see what other advice the "pros" on the list have
for us. Probably practice, practice, practice!