Klarinet Archive - Posting 000014.txt from 1995/09

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: E + F# above the staff
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 1995 22:18:40 -0400

On Fri, 1 Sep 1995, Jay Winick wrote:

> Recently I've been having alot of trouble with the E and F# above the staff.
> Dealing with the E first, I have no difficulty getting it to speak, however
> when doing long tones it has a tendancy to break. Despite my best efforts at
> adjusting the speed and quantity of air I cannot fix the problem.

In your post, and one of the replies, I'm a little uncomfortable about
all the talk of adjustments to embouchure and airstream. After all, one
can't (shouldn't) make these huge adjustments "on-the-fly" in repertoire,
so they're mostly not too useful.

I suggest the following. Most of my students have troubles with various
altissimo notes at some point, and psych themselves into expecting (and
getting) it time after time. I presume your C# and D work well. Practice
slowly slurring C#,D,E then stop. Try to keep your air steam "normal"
(for you). The do C#,D,E,D,C# etc on one steady air column. You will
probably notice an adjustment at first, but observe your air stream with
the object of avoiding a big adjustment as you slur to the E. You can add
the F# to this pattern, too.

> On to the second note, I have a great deal of difficulty getting it to speak
> at all, when doing any interval from the clarion register. I would
> appreciate any help.

If you find the solution to this one, I'd like a lesson! Seriously, there
a a few "situational" alternate fingerings for this sort of problem. Some
are sharp (useful mostly in louder passages), and some are flat (perfect
for soft delicate passages, where they might go sharp), and some are
"just right" - Oh, no, that was Goldilocks! I think you get the idea.

=========================
David Niethamer
niethamer@-----.edu
dbnclar1@-----.com
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