Klarinet Archive - Posting 001049.txt from 1999/03

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Beginners Squeek!
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 02:22:04 -0500

On Thu, 18 Mar 1999, Larry Zaidan wrote:

> I have a question for you: I have a fourth grade beginning clarinet
> student who is having difficulty getting a tone. She can't seem to
> get anything but a squeek. Things that I've already told her are: Not
> to "bite" on the reed too much. I had her play on just a mouthpiece,
> to get the feeling of how to blow the notes.

1. Instead of the mouthpiece, try the mouthpiece *and* the barrel - But
just until she makes a sound, so that you can make sure the reed vibrates
- no extended practice or playing in this way.

2. Put your mouthpiece on her instrument, in order to eliminate the
possibility that the problem is in the instrument itself.

3. Turn her mouthpiece upside down, then turn the whole set-up over, you
finger various notes and let her produce the sound. She can put her hand
on the barrel to feel more secure, but be sure that she isn't pulling down
too much, putting too much pressure on the lower lip.

Good luck!

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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