Klarinet Archive - Posting 001126.txt from 1998/11

From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] squeaking
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 21:36:11 -0500

Hi Kristen:

Squeaking can be caused by a number of different problems. You mentioned
having the instrument checked out and trying different brands of reeds.
Here are several other things to check:
1. Make sure the mouthpiece is not warped, (if left in heat or washed in hot
water).
2. Make sure the tip of the mouthpiece is not chipped....even the slightest
chip could cause squeaking. You might want to try another mouthpiece, (same
model), to see if yours is defective in some way.
3. Make sure the reed is balanced.....You can check for balance by turning,
(rotating), the mouthpiece side-ways, to the left and then to the right
and, keeping your head straight, blow into each side of the mouthpiece. If
you notice that the pitch is flat or stuffy when playing on one side of the
reed, then the other side is too thick. Trim a little from the thicker side
and try again until both sides sound equal. You can modify the sound of
different registers by trimming further up or down on the reed. All of this
is hard to explain, (It's much easier to show someone), and takes lots of
practice. One reason I like Grand Concert reeds is that they're very
consistant. There are other tests to check to balance of reeds also and I'm
sure others on the list will mention some.
4. Make sure you put your reeds on straight and try to line them up
perfectly at the tip and at the bottom. There are times when you might want
to change the setting of the reed on the mouthpiece and moving the reed a
little from right to left, play checking it each time, is another way to
check or change the balance of the reed.
5. Make sure the ligature is not set too high. If you're using a French cut
or double cut reed, the top of the ligature should be below the bottom cut
on the reed.
6. Make sure the reed sits comfortable flat on your bottom lip. If I hold
the clarinet the way it feels comfortable to me, (both arms the same
distance from my rib cage), my mouthpiece doesn't naturally lie flat on my
bottom lip. What I do to counteract that is turn the barrel to the left
about an inch and then the mouthpiece is comfortable to my embouchure and my
arms don't have to be in some wierd or uncomfortable position.
7. All other things proven right, if you still have trouble, it could be
your embouchure. In any case, it might be best to seek out a good private
instructor to help you solve the problem.

Good Luck,
Carl Schexnayder

Occasionally, my clarinet squeaks. It does not have any leaks that I know
of.
>I have tried three diffeent brands of reeds more than one of each reed.
I've
>tried adjusting my ligature. Nothing works! I play and armstrong
intermediate
>model, with the Vandoren B-46 mouthpiece and the Vandoreon optimum ligature
(I
>think)
>Am I just a bad player or is it possible that my clarient just sucks?
>
>thanks,
>Kristen>

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