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 Squeaking
Author: Brk3b2 
Date:   2005-05-07 18:03

What causes a clarinet to squeak and how can i prevent it, also why is it harder to get some notes out on the clarinet sometimes and sometimes its easy, even in the middle register?

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 Re: Squeaking
Author: Tyler 
Date:   2005-05-07 18:44

You must learn to keep your embouchure in the same 'shape' and basically same pressure for all notes on the instrument.

If you set your embouchure for low notes, blow enough focused air to get a big sound in the low register, lifting fingers is 99% of the rest of the work to get upper notes to speak.

Also, your instrument being in poor repair could contribute to uneven resistance. If it isn't, then air leakage could be a huge problem.

best wishes
-Tyler

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 Re: Squeaking
Author: Tyler 
Date:   2005-05-07 19:32

correction: if it IS in poor repair, then air leakage could be a problem

oops :)

-T

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 Re: Squeaking
Author: GBK 
Date:   2005-05-07 20:05

Tyler:

There are MANY causes for squeaking.


From the archives:

"Common Causes of Squeaks" (courtesy of Hans Jacobs)

-a dry reed
-accidentally touching a key
-the middle (bridge) joint in a clarinet is not properly aligned
-using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
-a finger not covering a hole
-a pad not seating properly
-a weak spring not holding a key closed
-keys out of adjustment (e.g., the A key)
-uncoordinated fingering
-a leaking joint
-a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
-too much mouthpiece in the mouth
-a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
-misapplied lip pressure
-a reed is split
-the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
-a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one
side than the other
-a poorly designed or warped mouthpiece (a warped mouthpiece can
be refaced)
-the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too high

...GBK

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 Re: Squeaking
Author: bflatclarinetist 
Date:   2005-05-08 02:58

you forgot squeaking can also be caused by nerves!

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 Re: Squeaking
Author: bflatclarinetist 
Date:   2005-05-08 03:00

and thank you for those reasons, I think I'll moisten my reed now =P

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 Re: Squeaking
Author: Llewsrac 
Date:   2005-05-08 04:36

All of the above reasons plus,

The red faced ancient un-named god of squeaking!

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