The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clari9801SC
Date: 2005-12-04 23:55
I was reading on the board not too long ago about when you loosen the ligature in the winter that your clarinet plays better. I find this to be quite true. I am having troulbe with the upper notes being airy in the I think the first register. Whatever the lower notes are that you first learn. Can anyone tell me why I am having this trouble with the exception of an out of practice embochure?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-05 03:13
Are you talking about the C and B of the clarinet? With all your fingers (pinkies too)? Sort of like a buzzing sound on those notes?
When in the clarion (that's the second register, with the thumb register key pressed down) do the notes clear up?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-12-05 14:17
hmm...guess I missed that thing about ligatures in winter but I doubt I'll suffer. Your embouchure problem alone is probly the cause but do snug up that loose lig. whatever the season.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Kchui999
Date: 2005-12-06 02:16
Sometimes the problem is just in the setup. Although it can be pretty much anywhere in ur setup, i find that the problem lies with the reed and mouthpiece. you just need to find a good mouthpiece and quality reeds to get the sound u like that is full and clear in all registers.
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Author: OmarHo
Date: 2005-12-06 23:03
The obvious reason why my clarinet sounds stuffy is what you think is true. It's because my ligature is too loose. That might be a clue if you haven't already solved your problem.
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Author: Clari9801SC
Date: 2005-12-07 17:39
Alexi, yes the notes clear up when I use my register key. I tighten my ligature as much as I can, but I don't want to have it too snug, either! You know why?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-08 23:22
Can you tell us your setup?
Reed type/strength, mouthpiece, and also how long you been playing? Maybe you just haven't developed the embouchure for whatever size reed you have.
Airy notes in the lower register are what I get when I try a slightly too hard reed on my mouthpiece and/or my embouchure needs more devleopment (which you said you might be a little "out of practice" in your first post)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Clari9801SC
Date: 2005-12-09 16:32
Um, yes it is out of practice. I play on a Van Doren V.12 size 4 reed. I have been playing let's see..for ...about eight years. I am not quite sure the exact mouthpiece that I have because I believe it may have been a student clarinet. It is a Leblanc though. I took private lessons and I am not really sure of the make and model I just know that it is a B-flat clarinet and for being plastic produces a tone close to wood. Do you have any advice for an embochure that may work on this?
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Author: Burt
Date: 2005-12-09 16:47
I can't believe that there is any reason for keeping the ligature even slightly loose while playing. I keep mine as tight as possible, limited only by the risk of damage to the mouthpiece, ligature or my fingers. When (rarely) I store my clarinet with the reed on the mouthpiece, I loosen the ligature.
The purpose of the ligature is to prevent any vibration of the reed at the point where the ligature contacts the reed. Any vibration is damped and may create distortion.
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