Klarinet Archive - Posting 000743.txt from 1999/09

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] more questions from a beginner
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 22:37:05 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: GruvnRuvn@-----.com>
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 1999 8:29 PM
Subject: [kl] more questions from a beginner

>....1) Im using a 3 1/2 reed and need a little bit of force to get the
second
>register out,, (actually its very little). What are the advantages and
>disadvantages of a different "strength"/number reed?

This is probably a little too stiff for a beginner. I would suggest a
softer reed for now (either a 2 1/2 or 3). A softer reed is easier to blow
and doesn't tire the embouchure as quickly. Thus you can practice a bit
longer. You will also find it easier to get a full rich sound out of the
low notes. Until your breath support is well developed, the harder reed
will tend to make you sound airy in the low register. However when you
start playing regularly in the 3rd register (called altissimo by the way),
you may be flat in pitch and develop the very bad habit of biting or
pinching to get up to pitch. So once you're into this third register, a 3
1/2 is about right.

Also it helps to do lots of *SLOW* drills up and down the scales so that
your fingers develop muscle memory on the exact spot to come down on the
tone holes. Until this "muscle memory" starts to take effect, fast playing
will tend to be full of squeeks, squawks and other interesting and unusual
sounds because you won't always get the hole completely covered or you may
bump other keys.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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