Klarinet Archive - Posting 000986.txt from 1998/11

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Overblowing 6ths
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 20:15:17 -0500

On 11/24/98 7:43 PM, Jdclar@-----.com wrote:

>I have a problem that has bothered me for several years. When playing the A 2
>spaces above the staff, (thumb and 2 fingers of left hand) I can too easily
>get the 6th above it (not in tune). I mean very easy. I am naturally
>afraid of
>this note. I have this problem on any clarinet with any mouthpiece/reed
>combination so it is operator and not equipment. If I rotate the clarinet
>clockwise so there is less pressure on the left side of the reed it is
>better.
>If I rotate the other way it is much worse. This requires a large amount of
>rotation to be effective. I thought I must have an asymmetrical bite. And I
>do, the gap is larger on the left side so I am not equalizing the pressure on
>the reed by rotating the mouthpiece. I am actually putting more uneven
>pressure to the right side. But I play with a loose embouchre so there is not
>much pressure really there. Has anyone ever encountered this? Any ideas? I
>need to lose my fear of the A, the G and B on either side have the same
>problem but not as bad.

Jack, I play with my mouthpiece rotated clockwise about 5-10 degrees for
this reason. My bite is asymmetrical, and certain areas of the clarinet
become very unstable if I try to play with the clarinet aligned straight
in the normal manner.

It's my memory that the A2 you refer to is the note most affected by the
compromise placement of the register/Bb key. It is sharp and unstable as
a result of the compromise, and the F# a 6th higher is flat and
unresponsive.

Your "fear" of this note may also have become a self fulfilling prophesy
- you expect it to be bad, and it is, probably due to some subconscious
"adjustment" that you are attempting to make to this note.

I'd 1.) try some rotation of your mouthpiece until it feels stable in
your embouchure, and 2.) practice slurring from the D1 a 12th below,
focusing on no embouchure change, to see if you can produce the A with
some stability. If not, try slurring f3, g3, a3, focusing on a steady air
column and no embouchure change, to see if you can eliminate the problem.

HTH

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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