Klarinet Archive - Posting 000197.txt from 2000/01

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] ghost tones
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 06:45:54 -0500

On Mon, 5 Jun 2000, Nicholas Yip wrote:

> While playing I notice that my A above space C is very sensitive. I hear
> ghost tones very vividly while playing the A. The B and G# I receive the
> same problem but they are not as bad. There is nothing wrong with my horn.
> I have moved the thumb diagnolly. This helps a little. I want to know how
> to rid it completely. How do you get rid of the ghost tones?

This sounds like a common problem I've more commonly called a grunt,
existing between said A and the C above it usually. I am still dealing
with this problem (have been doing so for nearly two years!). My solution
was two fold: increased air support and raised tongue position.

My tongue drops when I tire out, which brings the grunt back. The grunt
is also prone to appear when I try to play soft sensitive passages
incorrectly (ie, with less support). For me, the solution simply has been
to continually remind myself (especially in that register) that the softer
I play, the more support I must apply, and eeeeeh! eeeeeh! eeeeeh!

(But only think eeeeeh with the tongue, not the lips, because then the
corners of your mouth go back and your pitch goes all funky.)

This may or may not work for you - give it a whirl. It's best to see if
this helps by applying this to long tones on each of the notes, starting
with the lowest proceeding to the highest. Hold each note 12-16 counts
(MM=60) starting at FF and decrescendoing steadily, reaching MF halfway,
and the last two counts at PP. If the grunt is significantly reduced
while doing this and applying increased support and high tongue arch, then
you've found (at least part of) your trouble area. Then just do these
excersizes continually until the phase out.

I've phased out the grunt completely on my A and Bb, but still encounter
it on B at piano and softer. On C, I get it at mezzo piano and softer.
If your problem is the same as mine, then the grunt is harder to phase out
as you get higher.

HOpe this is of use to ya!

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
"If I wanted a 'job,' I'd have gone music ED, thank you very much!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org