 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: vljenewein
Date: 2012-07-07 02:02
A few weeks ago I got a couple of clarinets from ebay. One is a Selmer Bundy and the other an Evette - sponsored by Buffet. I also recently bought a Le Blanc Vito 7214 and a Schreiber & Sohne (not too much money, but figure I'll sell off or bequeath or Christmas) gift a couple of them). Anyway, I'm 59, never played a wind instrument before around Christmas when I got an Armenian Duduk for Christmas. So delighted in it, I bought a concert class Duduk made by Armenian Master Karen Mukayelyan of Armenia. It is a concert class instrument and I used it to pattern and start making my own Duduks in my wood shop this last spring. I got interested in clarinets, and, like I said I got these few ebay clarinets and gave them a try.
I can play "You Are My Sunshine" and "My Old Kentucky Home" on them but when I move down to the lower notes I often "squeak". I can sometimes correct this by just moving higher in the scale and move back down. That that is not how the song is played. I have Lazarro size 2 reeds, and a Vandohren mouthpiece, Bundy, and B45 that I fixed the end of the tip of the mouthpiece (it came chipped on the end) Interestingly that B45 mouthpiece has not given me any more trouble, maybe less, than some of the other mouthpieces. I also have a Rovner ligature that i really like over the metal ones.
I await yet the Schreiber & Sohne and the Vito Resitone Bb clarinet. Looked good though on ebay. I got in one clarinet, the Selmer by Bundy for little money and repaired the 3 pads and recored 2 of the Tenons. Now my wife uses it for her practice. She, too, has never played a clarinet or ANY other instrument. I am fortunate that I took Accordion lessons for about 6 years when I was a boy. So, reading music is not much of an obstacle at the moment. I've even learned to circular breathe on an Australian Didgeridoo I have, www.vernsdidj.com but that's another story.
What makes the squeak? How to correct it?
Oh, and one other thing. I recently had dental surgery where they pulled all my upper teeth back in March, and then I had a Temporary upper. Then, last June 13, they pulled the last 6 front lower teeth I had. Just got a complete set of dentures, but unfortunately, the lower is giving me fits and sits on the shelf until Tuesday (10th) when I get to see the Dentist/Specialist in Dentures again to see what he can do with the rubbing. So, I play with no lower teeth at the moment..... but I do it with a big SMILE. *S*
Vern
Vernon
Jenewein Duduks Manufacturing & Research
www.duduk.us American made Duduks
Post Edited (2012-07-07 02:03)
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2012-07-07 06:40
lol, no lower teeth... Doesn't that hurt your gums? Or do I just bite too much :D
It sounds like you aren't covering all the holes correctly. Make sure the pads of your fingers are sealing all the holes. It helps if you just go down from a middle G making sure every finger is sealing the tone hole tightly. Do not put too much pressure on the clarinet, just enough that air isn't leaking out. It will take some getting used to.
Good luck in your endeavors. Kudos for choosing clarinet!
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-07-07 08:00
Hi. WOW. When you take up something you sure get stuck in. As one beginner to another I would say that although there are probably many causes of squeaking, the one that was numero uno for me was taking in too much mouthpiece. Every time I squeaked I just eased the mouthpiece out a little and it cured it.
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Author: vljenewein
Date: 2012-07-07 16:24
Good pointers!! I was told by another clarinet player that you cannot play a clarinet with no bottom teeth. I have also had serious doubts if I could play even with dentures, both top and bottom.
I play by ear. I have to learn what a G is for finger placement. I merely put my fingers on the holes that are there, blow and listen to the sound. I have played Amazing Grace on the Duduk the same way. I just listen to what it sound like and, in the case of a key of A duduk, listen to someone that has an A (most of them) and simply follow along for a while until I know where the finger placements are. Amazing Grace on the Duduk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwmmC5AhMqs and since I mention Duduk, I started making them back in May. April was the first time I have ever run or even seen a wood lathe. I even figured out how to drill the 11.1 or 11.5 mm hole down the center of the turned piece of Apricot wood so that it is nice and even. Here is a You Tube of my #6 Duduk I ever made I sent to a friend of mine in Cairo Egypt. Dave Tawfik is a player of many instrumets, and took up the Duduk a few years ago and even has lessons on YouTube on how to play. Here, in this short video he compares the VJ to KM Duduk. VJ meaning Vernon Jenewein, here in Fennville, MI, and KM meaning Masetro Karen Mukayelyan of Armenia's $300.00 Duduk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySHYZIzyV6I
So, in a way, that led me to trying out the Clarinet. I also found I can play the Clarinet with a Ghamish (Mouthpiece double reed from Duduk) if I put it in the top barrel where the regular mouthpiece sits.
Speaking of Mouthpieces. I have a Vandoren B45 (2), Vandoren 5RV, Selmer, Bundy(new), Vito II (came with the LeBlanc Vito clainet), Selmer Goltone #3 (new) and a no-name. I actually bought a Vito Resotone 3 clainet for about 32.00 because it came with an extra mouthpiece, a Vandoren B45 and I saw how much they cost new. Any of these mouthpieces better for a beginner? Or do I need to look at a Clark W Fobes mouthpiece?
Thanks again!
Vernon
Jenewein Duduks Manufacturing & Research
www.duduk.us American made Duduks
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2012-07-07 20:26
I think the B45 will suit you just fine. How are you putting your mouth on the mouthpiece? It's very different from how you blow into a Duduk.
It seems like you have a lot of equipment already. Are you noticing this squeaking problem on all your horns? How is a duduk mouthpiece on a clarinet working for you? Sounds interesting :D
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Author: vljenewein
Date: 2012-07-08 02:12
Do it sound good?
Hope so! *smiling* Here is a friend of mine playing one I sent to him in Cairo Egypt. Very Middle Eastern sounding. It is what you hear in some of the movies in the background, such as Passion of The Christ, and Gladiator. Also on NCIS and other shows where you hear something that sounds like it is Israeli music or Middle Eastern, is probably the Duduk.
Dave playing the VJ Duduk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySHYZIzyV6I
Here is also Gevorg Dabaghyan (Armenian) telling the story about the Armenian Duduk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYoDSVvSTCI and this link has some very nice music with a famous dancer. The music is played by a man in Turkey by the name of Alihan Samedov and the song is called Sen Gelmez Oldun (You Did Not Wait). Alihan plays is very well, and in some places it is known as a Balaban, or Mey. link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ed6XlHQOow I believe her name is " Kaira (Евгения Куцкова) Baladi from probably Georgia(Russia) or in Azerbaijaini.
Vernon
Jenewein Duduks Manufacturing & Research
www.duduk.us American made Duduks
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