Klarinet Archive - Posting 000261.txt from 1996/08

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: your mail
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 1996 12:20:51 -0400

Linda,
I think you are describing a "chirp". These happen for a variety
of reasons. The most common is a badly-balanced reed or a bad mouthpiece
(I have a bass clarinet mouthpiece which does nothing but chirp away. I
finally bought a Selmer which doesn't). Then, there is poor tonguing
technique (hitting the reed too hard or at a bad place), leaky clarinets,
bad ligatures, and overblowing. Take your pick of the above. Do you have
a teacher? He/she ought to be able to solve this one in no time.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Fri, 9 Aug 1996, Linda Bakker wrote:

> This might sound strange to some people, but what do I do if the reed I'm
> playing on starts squeaking? I don't mean those big loud squawks; I mean
> when it does a little "squeak" at the beginning of each note you tongue.
> Usually it dissappears by the next time I play/practise, but it's not too
> good when I'm at an orchestra practise and it starts doing it.
> Any ideas?
> thanks
> Linda
>