Klarinet Archive - Posting 000681.txt from 1999/08

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Clarinet noises
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 1999 22:25:23 -0400

Regarding the person with the hiss, Sue suggested
> ...that his emboucher was either too tight or too loose, causing air to
either escape through the sides of his/her mouth or his/her mouth to become
tired too quickly (and becoming lose).
> Another thing that it may be is the mouthpiece. Is this the right
mouthpiece for this person? Do they grip well and not need to alter their
"position" to "force" notes to come out? >

Sue nailed what turned out to be the reason for a hiss I developed after
switching from my 1958 wooden Conn Director (intermediate), which I'd always
used with the original plastic (student) mouthpiece, a lousy but free-blowing
setup, to a 1937 Buffet Bb with an old rubber mouthpiece. For best results,
I also had to switch to a half-size harder reed. The new setup was much more
resistant. I had to blow harder, with a firmer embouchure. For me, working
on stronger chops eventually gave me a better seal at the corners of the
mouth, and got rid of the hiss. Making the transition took several weeks,
until I could keep the embouchure adequate without playing the clarinet every
day. (I rotate it with other wind instruments.)

Hope I don't mess things up by switching most of my clarinet practice to the
more expendable 1975- ish Selmer Signet Special I just bought used at a yard
sale. It's less free-blowing than the Conn, but less resistant than the
Buffet. Hadn't thought about the former hiss in a long time, but this thread
makes me wonder whether playing the Selmer will let my embouchure get
sloppier than I need for the Buffet. Oh, well -- guess I'll find out!

Lelia

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