Klarinet Archive - Posting 001012.txt from 2000/05

From: "Frederick S. Sterns" <fssterns@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] high note help again
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 12:53:45 -0400

Hi Laura...it's close to impossible to diagnose situations like the one you
describe wihtout being on site, but permit me to offer...in a generic
sense...some thoughts that might be helpful...

[1] you may be tensing subconsciously up as you move toward super C, biting
the reed without realizing it. Remember the "standard" bass clarinet
embouchure should be maintained throughout its range: a little more
mouthpiece than on the soprano and a looser embouchure.

[2] you may constricting the air flow as you progress into the third
register, trying too hard to reach the top by tightening your throat. [This
is really another way of addressing item 1.] Keep the throat open and
sustain the air flow just as you would for a low C [Eb?]. Be relaxed even as
you reach for super C.

[3] the reed should make no difference, unless you happen to be using a
single sample that happens to be a "dud." I use "plastic," but that's a
state secret not to be disclosed and four octaves has never been a problem.
...I've been accused of being "a barbarian" for abandoning "wood!" In fact,
the bass clarinet is, by nature, much easier to play in the altissimo thasn
the soprano.

[4] and here's a really controversial observation! You may do better on a
more open rather than a more closed mouthpiece. Although my personal
preference is for quite open, my experience has been that closed mouthpieces
cut down substantially on flexibility throught the range of the bass
clarinet [four octaves is a perfectly reasonable goal...No reason you
shouldn't master them all!]

Best of luck...relax and don't fight the horn...regards...Fred Sterns

> ok I've been working on my high notes using different techinques I've learned
> from u other musicians but it's not improving a great deal. I was wondering,
> I'm playing on Vandoren 3. Could it possibly be the reed strength or even
> just the reed? I played ona Rico and the notes were 10x better. I don't like
> rico's though. Is there any other wood reeds that are good? I heard something
> about some Concert ones. Grand Concert or something like that right? Let me
> know.
> Laura

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