Klarinet Archive - Posting 001108.txt from 1998/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: "problem" notes
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 18:10:38 -0500

On Sat, 21 Mar 1998 netwitt@-----.net wrote:
> I teach jr high band, and some of the kids are ready to
> start listening for these. For example, on trumpet we start with low d and
> low c#.
>
> I know there are lots of variables, such as where the note appears in the
> chord, etc. but that's way on down the road. Right now I'm after the
> 'inherent' problem notes. Like 2nd space A ? :^)
> netwitt@-----.)

Nice to see you asking Don! Unlike the trumpet, the clarinet has no third
and first valve kickers to help out with sharp 1-3 valve combinations.
However, there are some things to consider:

Most notes on the clarinet will be in tune if:
The reed and mouthpiece are correct (whatever that means!)
The embouchure is correct
The air support/quality of speed is correct
*the student is taking the correct amount of mouthpiece
usually not enough.....

All things being equal, bad notes to look out for, but not on all brands:

Throat tones - open G, G#, A (you named this one) and Bb are usually
sharp. You can tune at the barrel for these, but often throws other
things out. Experiment with right hand fingers (yes...and pinky) down in
different combinations for these four notes....will drop pitch.

Bb concert (the one you tune them on)....usually sharp......tune at
barrel, but will drop throat tones too low often. Can tune at center of
instrument (between top and bottom joint) on many student grade
instruments.

High A up to C can be sharp - adjusted mostly with the "voicing" if this
is the case. Again, pulling out the barrel will just complicate other
notes.

Low E, F often are flat........don't overblow, and keep the embouchure
firm.

These are the common ones......

Now, for bass clarinet........!!!!

Roger Garrett
IWU