The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alyra
Date: 2003-12-26 14:31
When I do scales etc. or anything that goes just above the bar lines, once I get to the first A or B, I sound really rotten and not very good at getting the note out.
Does it just require practice? Or is my reed too hard ( grade 3) or ??
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Author: Markus Wenninger
Date: 2003-12-26 14:39
Your reed is only too hard if Your mouthpiece facing is too open, Your embrochure is overtight then. Messing with reeds is our common eternal fate - just try a softer reed, maybe it will be all the help You need. And practice, yes, indeed enormously helpful, always. ;-))
A happy new year to You,
Markus
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-26 14:42
A medim strength reed should be sufficient for playing the entire range of your clarinet, given your embouchure is strong enough--and that simply takes practice. Try going to a VanDoren 2.5 and see if that improves your "above staff" notes. Also, try slurring upwards from third space C and try to reach what we on this BB call C6 (or two ledger lines above the staff). Once you get the "feel" for this register, then try tonguing them. It may take a few trys sounding "terrible" before you realize improvement. Give this a try and come back in a couple of weeks if you are still having difficulty. Good luck!! (and be persistant with your practice)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-26 16:35
Make sure you're not pinching the reed like Markus mentioned and make sure to use enough air support through the instrument. Air can make a world of difference!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Alyra
Date: 2003-12-27 13:25
Well, went and bought some vandoren reeds. The difference was astounding and I am never buying a rico reed ever again. High notes seem a great deal easier and the tone is much, much better.
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Author: ginny
Date: 2003-12-27 18:42
At our house we refer to ricos as reek-oh reeds because they reek.
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