 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetfreek
Date: 2004-05-15 05:01
I have had reed problems for a very long time... I've tried virtually everything, from Vandoren blue box to V12 to blackmaster to Zonda to Grand Concert Select to Legere to Gonzalez. So far, I've liked none of them.
I have a problem with my upper register sounding a bit thin, which is a problem because the 1st chair player (I am 2nd chair in my band) has a very, very dark sound, although she uses the blue box reeds. I've noticed that softer reeds make my upper register sound even thinner than usual, and that harder reeds make it sound fuller but also fuzzier and unfocused.
Is this supposed to happen? And if so, what is a possible solution? Thanks.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-05-15 06:03
Hi, Clarinetfreek -
Not sounding the way you'd like to sound is not the way it's supposed to go. No. Indeed, as time goes by you're supposed to sound better as playing becomes easier.
Have you tried the old process of elimination? For example: maybe it's not your reed(s). Maybe it's your:
Reed,
Mouthpiece,
Instrument,
Embouchure,
Breathing,
Posture,
Attitude,
Itchy socks 
[Your ligature, *in my opinion*, is inconsequential and should be last (if included at all) on your list of things to check... unless it's so ill fitting that your reed slips out of position]
The list goes on and on. Just try different things and make note whether it gets better or worse. Change the things that make it worse.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2004-05-15 14:07
If you are having a pinched upper register, it is probably due to lack of reed vibration and/or a lack of air support. Many amateur clarinetists have gotten in the habbit of trying to hide in the upper resiter, thus not using the correct amount of air support. You probably will want to either use more air. If that is not the case, then you will want to take more mouthpiece in. You may not be taking enough mouthpiece inside the mouth to allow for correct reed vibration.
If these things do not work, it could be a mismatched reed/mpc setup. As far as the reed? I seriously doubt it. I use a strength 3 V12 and do not have problems in the upper register. If you have gone through several brands of reeds, I think it is safe to assume that is not the problem. Good luck.
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Author: clarinetfreek
Date: 2004-05-15 17:50
Here's my setup:
R13 silver plated
Lomax Classic mouthpiece
Bonade inverted ligature
Chadash barrel
currently using V12 4's and Blackmaster 3.5's
Thanks for all your suggestions... I will try using more air and putting in more mouthpiece.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-05-15 19:00
"Use more air" is a piece of advice often given, but in my opinion very misleading. What is probably meant by this advice is to use more air PRESSURE. This can certainly help if not enough pressure is being used. However, many clarinet players use too much air. Blowing too much air into the mouthpiece kills the harmonics, and makes the sound very thin.
How to tell the difference? To blow more air, play a C6 on your clarinet, and blow into it as if you're trying to blow out a candle. You'll notice the sound becomes noticeably thinner. To blow with more pressure (but not more air), blow as if you're trying to warm your hands up in front of your face on a cold winter's day.
It is my view that the best clarinet tone comes from the least amount of air necessary for the dynamic required. But air pressure is definitely required.
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Author: deepriver27
Date: 2004-05-16 14:11
I had the same problem until I was given the following advise:
Play a G - the one just over the staff you do with the left hand only. Then slowly slide the index finger off to play an A in the high register without changing your breathing or anything. I quickly realised when doing this that I was making adjustments going into the high register that was ruining my tone, intonation and clarity. Then you can learn from this, relax, and just play it. It worked for me and may be worth a try.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-05-16 17:51
clarinetfreek wrote:
"I've tried virtually everything, from Vandoren blue box to V12 to blackmaster to Zonda to Grand Concert Select to Legere to Gonzalez. So far, I've liked none of them."
sorry to tell you but it sounds like you have a different problem. i've tried most of these reeds, and lots of others too. maybe it's not modest to say this but i think i sound just fine with pretty much every reed (as long as it's not too hard).
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-05-16 19:01
An obsession with a "reed problem" is often an indication of poor technique in other areas. I know from experience (the reeds all work so much better when you play correctly). The reeds don't play themselves, you know.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: clarinetpro
Date: 2004-05-17 05:12
It's a combination problem:
R 13's have in general a great centered sound. But, without the correct read/mouthpiece combination, the sound can suffer. Breath support etc all come into play... but way after the work of really searching out the best read/mouthpiece combination is finished.
Have you tried the Vandoren 11.6 or 11.1? (31/2 to 4 reeds.......)
Sounds like in this case you are going to need a mentor... extra ears to help you. You're gonna need some new mental design in your "concept of tone" ( the duplication of what you have always heard... over and over) Other ears will help you begin to solve the problem..... lots of reads..... a dozen mouthpieces.... and work through it again.
Remember..... your face, jaw bone, throat, skull and other aspects of your being will effect your tone. You need to play the setups yourself....... to see how they sound with you! Don't just copy someone who has a great sound.... their setup may be completely irrelevant for you.
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Author: graham
Date: 2004-05-17 08:08
You often sound how you are thinking at the time. If you come to a high passage and think "here comes a high bit", the sound that comes out will reflect your thoughts. But if you force yourself to say "Here comes a middle register bit..... I can just land on these notes", the sound should fill out and sound lower (though not in absolute pitch). Practice altissimo with a relaxed embouchure, so that relaxing up there becomes more natural.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-05-17 08:42
clarinetpro wrote: "Breath support etc all come into play... but way after the work of really searching out the best read/mouthpiece combination is finished"
I disagree. Searching out the best reed/mouthpiece combination is USELESS if you're not blowing the thing properly. Someone with a good embouchure and airflow can make even a bad reed/mouthpiece combination sound at least OK. I'm not saying that these things aren't important- it's just the way you put it makes it sound like anyone with the correct reed and mouthpiece on an R13 should sound good.
"Sounds like in this case you are going to need a mentor"
I agree. Clarinetfreak- there's only so much advice that can be written on a BBoard like this, and much of it might be wrong for your specific problems. The best advice I could give would be to discuss this with a good teacher in person.
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