Klarinet Archive - Posting 000475.txt from 2003/12

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Beginners Problems..
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 13:26:44 -0500

Gordon,

All the advice you've gotten seems worthwhile, but I'm a little puzzled
about what exactly "undesirable harmonics" means - the cat reference
notwithstanding (I've never tried to strangle one :-) ). Is it just
garden-variety squeaking (one unintended very high and out-of-tune pitch) or
an unfocused correct pitch mixed with other frequencies (like a
multiphonic)?

For the problem that you're describing to be the result of any leaking pads
it ought to affect the rest of the notes, at least in the lower register, as
well. The suggestion about the small pad under the A key (that goes down
with the top left-hand ring) is a possibility if it's loose or just not
opening far enough. It's just very unusual for an instrument-related problem
to cause severe squeaking on the "throat" notes (G, G#, A, Bb) without
messing up everything below.

More likely is a mouthpiece problem (which should still have an effect
elsewhere in the range) or a poorly chosen reed strength. The throat tones
are the least resistant notes on the clarinet. A reed/mouthpiece combination
that is too easy blowing (lacking resistance) may force you to relax or open
your jaw too far to maintain control of the reed, possibly causing both
multiphonic-type squawks and flat pitch. "Control" may be easier (those with
a more solid physics background than mine, please correct me) as you add
length for lower notes as the increasing resistance damps some of the reed's
vibration. Your teacher's suggestion to "squeeze harder on the reed" may be
his/her reaction to hearing that the reed is out of control (as well as the
pitch being flat), but if the reed is too thin for the mouthpiece, the
result will be (as you've already discovered) that the reed will close. A
stiffer reed may solve one of the problems or maybe both, but not stiffer to
the point where you can't produce a clear sound.

The easiest way to eliminate or confirm the clarinet itself as the source of
the problem is for you to play on a clarinet that is known to work properly
(your teacher's, if he/she is willing). Try your mouthpiece and reed on
his/her instrument. If that doesn't solve the problem, it eliminates your
instrument as a cause. If it's not the instrument, I'd start with a
point-by-point check of your basic embouchure approach. If that seems OK,
experiment with reed strengths, probably a 1/2 strength higher at a time
until you either lose the problem or can't get a clear sound anywhere on the
clarinet.

Last word of advice - don't change more than one thing at a time if you can
manage it - otherwise you won't know what interactions are going on among
the changes you make. One change could offset another to produce even worse
problems, and you won't know for sure what caused them.

Good luck!

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gordon Ross [mailto:clarinet@-----.me.uk]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 6:19 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Beginners Problems..
>
>
> Hi,
>
> After playing the flute for the past 6/7 years, I took up the Clarinet a
> few months ago (Just getting used to all the extra keys !) and
> I'm having a
> couple of problems, so I'm looking for some advice. My Clarinet
> teacher is
> stumped..
>
> The first problem that I'm having, is "undesirable harmonics" (i.e.
> sounding like someone is trying to strangle the cat !) It usually only
> happens on A & open G, but does sometimes happen on other notes as well
> like B Flat. I have tried changing my embrouche around, tried
> various reeds
> as well, but about 50% of the time an A or G will sound awfull..
>
> The second problem I'm having, is getting the A and open G in tune. My
> teacher says "Squeeze harder on the reed", but if I squeeze any harder, I
> can't get any air through the instrument, and my bottom lip and jaw ache
> after a minute or two.
>
> As I mentioned above, I've tried various reeds, but the most "succesfull"
> reed at the moment is a Vandoran 2.
>
> Thanks,
>
> G
>
>
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