 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Vicky
Date: 2006-02-12 20:02
Hey all,
I've always had problems tuning my high B and high C. They usually go about 20 cents sharp. The high C is easier to get down in tune, but B is a monster. Is there something that I could be doing wrong with my tongue position, air streem, etc?
Vicky
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-12 20:47
Don't tighten up for these notes - practice with a tuner to see what lip pressure you need to get them in tune, but they will be in tune with a relatively relaxed embouchure.
I was always told by my teacher to relax for the lower altissimo register as well (C# up to alt. F) otherwise these can sound thin and pinched (and squeak/whistle) if played with a tight embouchure.
As these notes only employ a short length of bore at the top end of the instrument, they are more flexible in pitch and can be lipped around easier, but tightening up too much will send them sharp.
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Author: William
Date: 2006-02-12 20:56
Your describing B5 and C6. The problem is most likely your embouchure with not giving emough support for the lower, easier notes in combination with having to bite to enable the higher range notes to speak. Too loose in the lower register--E3 to Bb4 and also B4 to approx G5--will make these notes flatter than normal. Then, when you bite to produce the higher B5 & C6 (and higher), those notes will become much sharper in comparison. By giving more embouchure support to the lower range and thereby raising the general pitch level, the higher notes will sound less sharp and, as your lip muscles become stronger through practice, you can begin to use a more uniformally firmness in your embouchure for all registers. However, it will always be necessary to loosen that firmness on those high B and C notes as they do tend to sharpen naturally, especially if playing them softer. Your best tuning device is your ear. Good luck,
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-02-13 07:40
You mean the B at the top of the clarion register (a couple of lines above the stave)? There's an outside chance the little pad worked by the bridge mechanism (which sounds B when open, Bb when closed) could be out of adjustment. Is the E (bottom line, same fingering but without the register key) sharp also?
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