 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clarinetdaniel
Date: 2008-07-07 16:38
I am now a new beginner of Clarinet (I am a Saxophone Alto players) that double on Clarinet.
when I play high C, with my thumb push the speaker key and the left thumb key, how to balance the clarinet?
For now, I am just using my upper teeth to pull the clarinet "in" while my left thumb push the keys, which makes me feel too much pressure in my upper teeth.
Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-07-07 17:20
You should be able to balance the clarinet with just your right thumb and top teeth - your left hand should be completely free to move.
Try playing open G with no other fingers on the clarinet at all, but with upward pressure on the thumbrest from your right thumb (and arm) and your top teeth should keep it stable. You shouldn't be pushing the keys with any undue force, only opening or closing them.
If you find this uncomfortable, try a mouthpiece patch and a soft thumbrest cushion to see if these help.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: leonardA
Date: 2008-07-08 19:15
I would add that in addition to upward pressure on the teeth your embouchure should also help grip the mouthpiece and add to the stability.
Leonard
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-07-08 21:17
Your description fits the one used by double lip players initially. They cannot play throat f or high c very well until they get stronger. I and others always advise avoiding these notes for a while or placing the left index finger on above the a key.
Frankly, I would avoid pushing the clarinet mouthpiece into your upper teeth as I am of the opinion that the embouchure doesn't progress properly. But you say you play with your teeth on the mouthpiece, so it is kind of strange at least in my experience.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-07-08 22:44
I read with interest (a beginner here) the following from Mr. Friedland:
>>I and others always advise avoiding these notes for a while or placing the left index finger on above the a key.
The last part of the statement regarding placing the left index finger...I don't understand what he meant here. Would someone explain please.
I've taken lessons for 13 weeks now, and sometimes it's still hard for me to "balance the clarinet" while getting Thumb only F, let alone high C.
I keep telling myself it'll get easier, but it has been very slow for me.
CarlT
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-07-08 23:44
When you play the F with just the thumb, move your left index finger and balance the clarinet by placing that finger just above the A key on the wood itself.
Post Edited (2008-07-09 03:52)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetdaniel
Date: 2008-07-09 15:14
Is that OK to put my right pinky finger in the G# key or F Key to balance the clarinet when I play the high C?
Also, I find it easier to balance the Clarinet if I add my right pinky finger in the G# key or F key when I play the throat note. Is that ok?
Will that affect my later when I play some fast passage?
Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-07-09 15:58
Get a good teacher. Do not bite. Follow Sherman's advice. Develop a really good enbouchure, without any biting. Slow but sure.
richard smith
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: autumnsilence
Date: 2008-07-12 06:55
hmm, every band teacher i have had always said you were supposed to use your teeth on the top of the mouthpeice for whatever reason but i never did.. (didnt have lessons, learned on my own i suppose that is why) but i still dont do it except on rare occasions and doesnt effect it any.. I understand what you mean by saying it is hard to balance the clarinet on notes where you dont hold down many keys, i remember thinking the same thing at some point in time.. lol the only way to find out how i do it is to take out my clarinet and actually try it considering i never think about it while playing.. ok i figured out how i keep mine balanced.. while playing both the F and the high C, or any other notes that are hard to balance it on, on the bottom buttons where you hold your right hand, there is a 'bar' i guess you could say right next (to the right) of the buttons where the button rings attach onto a 'bar'. I i have my hand slightly open but the side of my fingers/hand is pressed against that to keep it back and inline so it doesnt get off balance.. dont know if that made any sence but thats the way i do it. Also if you put your ring finger of your left hand just below the button that doesnt have a ring, (the C/ high G) and hold it, it helps. And also there are some notes where it makes the same sound reguardless of weither you are pushig the lower buttons down (right hand) so that also helps.. but after you get used to playing those notes in a song or something it will eventually come natural.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
