Klarinet Archive - Posting 000150.txt from 2003/07

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Needing very basic playing advice
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2003 23:28:01 -0400

> -----Original Message-----
> From: rd shel [mailto:rdshel29z@-----.com]
>
> I was very interested in the request by Jason Spradlin
> for advice on playing B and C above the break. I too
> have always had this problem to a certain extent. I
> have to use extra lung power to make these notes sound
> right and even then they are always slow starting. The
> only advice anyone offered was that the problem was
> due to pads not sealing.

Yes, this _can_ cause a problem.

> Now I do agree that pads can
> cause this problem and I also know that a harder read
> can help.
>

Only to the extent that the player is biting or pinching off the reed
because it's too thin. More likely, any pinching results from the
instability the player feels going from no fingers to all the fingers down
or from some other cause. If the reed is really too thin, the bad effects
won't be limited to B and C.

> A few months ago some people on the list said that
> dust or dirt in the register tube can contribute to
> the problem. And this is certanly right because I
> found some dust in the register tube and cleaning made
> a big improvement in B and C.
>
This _can_ also cause the problem, particularly if it is specifically with
B.

> I have a couple of questions. Does B above the break
> normally require extra effort and skill for an
> experienced player with an instrument in good
> condition? And if so is there a technic that
> I haven't learned yet?
>

No, B shouldn't require extra effort (other than having to cover more holes
than other notes need), and the skill that it requires is probably no
greater than the skill needed to play any other note well - reliably, in
tune with good tone. The problem is that there is, indeed, a great deal of
technique that you haven't learned yet.

You should do two things, if you can manage them. One is to have your
clarinet checked and worked on by a competent repair person to make sure
there's not a mechanical problem getting in your way (like poor pad coverage
among other things). The other is to arrange for private lessons with a
competent local teacher - one who is skilled both at playing the clarinet
and teaching. Depending on where you are, this may or may not be easy, but
it really takes an experienced ear listening to you to diagnose with any
degree of usefulness what's causing the problem you're experiencing. All you
can get from a list like this one are possibilities. Someone who actually
hears you can do more to help you find solutions that will make a
difference.

Good luck!

Karl Krelove

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