Klarinet Archive - Posting 000408.txt from 1995/09

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Undertones
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 08:12:36 -0400

> I have been having problems with G, A, Bb, etc., in the clarion range
>having a very bad undertone, especially when attacking the note. The
>undertone becomes worse when I am articulating. Any suggestions as to how
>to get rid of the undertone?
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>Patricia C. Dew | pcdew@-----.edu
>University of North Carolina at Greensboro | =__
>-------------------------------------------- _,>/'_
> (commuter student without a parking permit) ==> ___(*)_(*)____
>---------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a common problem. There are two possible solutions, one
mechanical, the other a playing change. Mechanically, it is often the case
that the speaker tube (especially on recent Buffets) projects too far into
the bore of the instrument. If so, you can have a professional repairman
shorten this for you.

That helps but it does not solve the problem completely.

The undertone is caused by the fact that the clarinet-plus-reed coupled
vibrating system wants to vibrate in two different modes, one of which is
the undertone.

You can eliminate this by creating nodes on the reed that effectively block
the undertone mode.

This is accomplished by rolling your jaw slightly forward, which thereby
causes your lower lip to roll slightly further into your mouth, and
positions your lower teeth so that the pressure point on the reed is lower
down. At the same time, to relieve pressure on the reed, push up toward
your top teeth with your left hand thumb. Third, play around with the
position of your tongue. Usually it needs to be a bit higher.

With these modifications, you should be able to start any of those notes
from niente with not even the slightest undertone.

---------------------------

Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net