Klarinet Archive - Posting 000499.txt from 2003/12

From: "Dee D. Flint" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Beginners Problems..
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 13:59:46 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon Ross" <clarinet@-----.me.uk>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 25, 2003 1:38 PM
Subject: RE: [kl] Beginners Problems..

> At 18:24 24/12/2003, you wrote:
> >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)?
>
> Sorry - it's a definate squeal
>
> [snip]
>
> >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.
>
> I am sure it's more a problem with my technique, than with the instrument,
> as my teacher can play the instrument fine. :-(
>
> G
>

Still wouldn't hurt to have it checked. As a more experienced player,
he/she may subconsciously be coping with things that cause you a problem.
For example, one place I lived, there was a really fine clarinet repair tech
except for one problem. His hands were so much stronger than mine that
sometimes he set the spring strength too high and a pad would not close for
me but be fine for him. So he could play the note and I've have to fight it
by pressing really hard on the keys. I'd have to try it before leaving the
shop to make sure that the spring tensions were right for ME.

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