Klarinet Archive - Posting 000020.txt from 1995/09

From: Jay Winick <winickj@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: E + F# above the staff
Date: Sat, 2 Sep 1995 09:17:52 -0400

>David Niethamer wrote:

>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.

In an effort to rectify the problem I started working on a little exercise
based on first, fifth, third (e.g. a''', e'''', c''') and discovered what I
had been told by a prof. I studied with this summer. That is it is virtually
impossible to play any intervals in the altissimo if there is a disruption
of airstream. So I spent the better part of the afternoon (to my neighbors
chagrin! ) working on a whole set of 1-5-3 triplets covering all the notes
from c#''' to Ab''''. While no one else may like it, it seems to help.

Thanks,

Jay Winick
Hung over amateur clarinettist