 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: paker
Date: 2008-12-27 19:05
This is my day 2 of clarinet. I am experimenting what I must do and not do. So far it appears to be:
1) If I bite hard, it closes on me. I cannot blow air physically.
2) If I put clarinet in the mouth too short, it also closes.
3) If angle is not right, the reed either closes or squeaks a hight pitch noise.
4) I cannot take tooth vibration. I put a thin cork (cork shelf liner) on the upper side of mouthpiece.
Are these correct observations?
The biggest problem is the high pitch noise. What must I do to avoid this?
Any advice is welcome. I am self-studying.
Thanks.
Vandoren M15, Legere 2 1/2 plastic reed, old plastic vito
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2008-12-27 19:30
Of course a lot of people will probably tell you that it would be a great help to study with a teacher.
In the meantime they make a rubber mouthpiece protector which should reduce or eliminate the vibration on your teeth. Most music stores carry them or you can try Woodwind and Brasswind on line, http://www.wwbw.com
Leonard
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-12-27 20:29
3rd. find a good private teacher - money well spent ; of course, i'm biased
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: paker
Date: 2008-12-28 00:29
Thanks for the patch info. I will visit a local music store.
Is anyone in high school band not minding giving me a few tips? He/she is more than qualified to teach me.
I am not against private lessons. I sent my daughters to private piano teachers when they were in school. I cannot afford scheduled lessons. I will miss most.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2008-12-28 01:50
Is it wise to start out on a plastic reed? You have a good mouthpiece, and a good clarinet to start (that's what I started on), but I have tried plastic reeds and have always found them to be very difficult to get a good sound on (or, occasionally, any sound at all...) You don't need continuous private lessons, but a few to get a good start would probably get a good idea, if you won't be able to make the lessons. Definitely get a mouthpiece patch, but you will get used to the vibrations soon. Don't bite! Keep your jaw loose and relaxed, and don't be tense. By putting the clarinet in your mouth too short, I assume you mean not taking enough of the mouthpiece. A way to find a good place for it to be in your mouth is to start with it quite far out, then very, very slowly move your mouth farther up the mouthpiece until it squeaks. Stop there. Then move back just a tiny bit, and that will likely be your ideal spot. You'll have to experiment to find a good angle.
Good luck!
A high school band student.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2008-12-28 02:41
Many private teachers will be flexible in scheduling adult students. If you're worried about having to miss lessons or not being able to pay for one every week or two weeks, find a teacher with whom you can make an individualized arrangement. Most of the time this isn't possible through a music school - needs to be a teacher who will teach you at his/her home or yours. A high school student who plays well can probably give you some basic direction, but a more skilled player can help more easily with any problems that develop with your technique or your equipment. Most beginner clarinetists have lots of questions about reeds, mouthpieces, and instruments and whether playing problems are caused by the player or the equipment. A skilled player/teacher can help sort those issues out faster than you'll be able to on your own, even if you can't schedule lessons on a regular basis.
Good luck.
Karl
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-12-28 03:42
If the reed is closing off on you too easily (assuming you're doing everything else right--which I realize is a big assumption, given that this is day 2 for you), your reed might be a little too soft. M15 mouthpieces are designed to work with relatively hard reeds, so a 2.5 strength reed might be too soft.
You will probably need to experiment a little with different reed strengths to find something that works.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-12-28 16:59
Come back in two more days and tell us how you are doing. You are at a most exciting time of clarineting when everything will suddenly start to improve expontentially--not slowly, like for most of us who have played for years. I'd give a whole truck load of vintage Morree reeds to be where you are right now. Enjoy the ride and good luck.
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Author: paker
Date: 2008-12-29 23:58
Thank you all for kindly answering my questions. I have been practising everyday for 10+ minutes. As the band student advised, I moved biting points up and down and found the best spot, and learned it doesnt' take much force to seal the circumference of mouthpiece.
I always wanted to play clarinet but didn't have the guts. But someone said clarinet is the easiest instrument and encouraged me to start. Well, I am finding clarinet fingering is more complicated than flute that I fun played during grad school (self studied, couldn't afford private lesson, both time and money).
As the last poster said, I am throughly enjoying the instrument. My goal is to play hymns and simple songs.
Post Edited (2008-12-30 00:01)
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