The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2006-10-06 17:41
I've been practicing for quite awhile and have run into a dilemna playing the jump between Middle D and G. Every time i lift my right hand to play the clarion G, there seems to be a disruption in the sound frequency, causing a squeak. Now this isn't a frequent occurance, however it does prove to be annoying when going through some quick arpeggios. Any diagnoses of this problem? my fingers are covering the tone holes, and there aren't any leaks in the instrument (i know how to check for them) but does anyone else encounter this squeaking issue? thanks!
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-10-06 19:53
Does the problem vary with embouchure? It sounds (well, duh) as if you were inadvertedly at the verge of overblowing (on C, D) and actually do when releasing your fingers, before you (maybe inadvertedly too) relax.
I have similar issues when the reed is too dry (ie during warm-up) and when I try to squeeze the tone out despite the not-quite-ready reed.
My teacher often reminds me not to worry about the occasional squeak, that it were the result of tension, and tension should be remedied with a relaxed attitude. We're all human.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-10-06 21:43
The pad may be covering evenly all around, but the bridge key may still be blocking complete coverage. Compare the tightness of the pad at the top of the right hand rings with the pad connected to the left middle finger ring.
The pad attached to the right hand rings may be sticking. Press down hard with your right index finger on the top ring and then lift your finger very slowly. Any lag in movement fo the rings and key could cause a squeak. The standard solution is to take a newish dollar bill, put it under the pad, press the ring down with moderate force and pull the bill out. Several repetitions should clean the pad and the rim.
You should also take off the key and clean the hole beneath the pad with a damp Q-Tip, to get out any crud.
If the key is operating OK, then your fingers aren't completely synchronized. Watch in a mirror. If, say, your right ring finger lags, it can block the ring and hold the pad partly down.
Set your metronome to 60 and work on the G major arpeggio exercises in Baermann 3, one sixteenth per beat. Odds are you won't be able to make every change really clean. Until you can do that, you'll always get the squeaks.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-10-09 12:24
Some mouthpiece / reed combinations tempt me to overblow on the clarion G and F. I'm still working out what to do about it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|