Klarinet Archive - Posting 000889.txt from 1997/03

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: C clarinet stuffiness
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 19:54:55 -0500

On Wed, 26 Mar 1997, Lord Rob wrote:

> I often encounter this problem on the Bb clarinet, especially when I'm =
> playing those 3 notes softly. Usually, I find that it's because I'm not =
> using proper breath support in my diaphragm. But if it only happens on =
> your C Clarinet, that's probably not your problem. Another crucial =
> element in this, as in all other aspects of clarinet playing, is of =
> course the reed/mouthpiece/ligature setup, and you may want to explore =
> other combinations.
>
> But, there are a couple of fingering things I know that help with this =
> (and probably more that I don't know about.) For the Bb, I would try =
> fingerings other than the traditional side key one, such as the one with =
> that little key on the upper joint that no one pays attention to, or the =
> one with the two first fingers (otherwise known as the bridge key =
> alignment check.) For the B and C, a solution was given to me by my =
> brilliant former teacher, Alan Greenfield (who is no doubt reading this =
> and nodding his head.) He taught me to play these two notes with the =
> clarion E-flat key (the one at the bottom of the instrument, sorry I =
> don't know fingering chart #'s), which helps them to speak, especially =
> at softer dynamics. Of course, this will alter the tuning slightly, so I =
> would be wary of that. Incidentally, I've also found this very helpful =
> on Ab 3. Hope this helps.
>
> Rob Teitelbaum
>
Just to clarify my original post -- It really is the notes themselves, not
the fingerings involved (I have tried the fork Bb fingering and the 1 & 1,
makes very little difference). Perhaps it is an effect of using a
"regular" Bb clarinet mouthpiece on the C. Very soft reeds help, but they
help throughout the range of the horn; the stuffy notes are still
proportionally stuffy in relation to the rest of the notes.

Does this make sense? Thanks again for all advice!

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu