 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-04-15 02:12
I, like a lot of beginners I would suppose, have a real problem with my throat Bb note regarding getting a good sound. I did some searches and found where several people years ago on this forum recommended the use of the "side key" as an aid to getting a good sound from this note.
Would someone please tell me which key is the "side key" that was referred to? I'd appreciate it.
Also, any good hints for improving the sound of this (in my case anyway) awful sounding note? Any good practice hints would be appreciated.
BTW I do have a teacher, and I will talk with him about this, but I don't have another lesson for 2 weeks, and I would like to go ahead and try to improve this note if possible. Lately, my teacher has been working with me to improve my overall sound, but we have not concentrated on the Bb note yet.
Carl
CarlT
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-04-15 02:55
Hi Carl,
The "side key" fingering: Finger throat tone "A", and use the first finger of your right hand to push down the second RH trill key.
For the Bb fingering you use most often: adding resonance fingerings will bring down the pitch and persuade the note to play more fully.
oxxlxxx c/f key and
ooxloox c/f key
...are my favorites.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2010-04-15 02:59
The fingering is the throat A and the third key up from the right side. No bottom register key.
The throat tone can be due to a number of issues, although if you are a beginner, you should start with support. The throat tones come out, unlike the upper register, even without using much support. Blow LOTS of air in the throat tones (Bb) and just keep in mind that they require just as much air as the higher notes.
Also check out to see if your equipment is in working order, and make sure your using a good reed strength for you.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2010-04-15 12:46
If the vent key has a cork pad have someone bevel it, this helps sometime.
Also make sure the vent tube is clear, take the key off and use a soft brush, like the small shaver cleaner brush or an unused eye lash brush to make sure the tube is clear.
Tom Ridenhour has a book out that has more fingering combination than I knew existed. It will give you a lot of things to try.
When I was studying with Norman Baker he had me put the 3rd finger in the left hand down, and also the 1st & 3rd finger in the right hand down and also the right hand C/F pinky key. I know this works on my instrument.
Hope something in here helps!!
Rodney Berry
Repair Dept
Muncy Winds Music Company
Boone, N.C.
Post Edited (2010-04-15 12:47)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-04-15 15:49
I almost NEVER use the sidekey Bb. Yes, at first go, this fingering sounds less "stuffy" than various ventings for the register version, but there are VERY VERY few practical applications for the sidekey version.
I play Bb: Register Key, A Key, Third finger of left, Third finger of right and the Right hand pinky C key (or left hand pinky C key depending on the note you're heading to or coming from).
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2010-04-15 19:00
The "extra" fingers that you use to add resonance th throat Bb depend entirely on your specific instrument. What works for one instrument may actually make things worse on another.
Just experiment with about any combination of LH and RH fingers and keys until you find something that works for you.
If you have an A clarinet don't be surprised if that needs different fingers to the Bb.
It is also possible that the standard fingering with no extras provides the best outcome, it certainly does on one of my instruments.
As noted in earlier above post the key factor is of course breath and embouchure support.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-04-15 20:40
I've used the above fingerings quite successfully on Yamaha CSGs (both A and Bb), Buffet R13, and Leblanc Concerto.
There may be some clarinets that tune differently enough to warrant alternates for your alternates but this one is rather universal.
Perhaps I would include an earlier exception that I used many years ago on a set of Boosey and Hawks 1010s: Register, A Key, Second and Third fingers of left hand. Of course the Booseys are pretty weird for Boehm horns.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-04-15 21:08
I let someone play my B&H 1010 at a rehearsal just before I sold it to be sure it was all playing well - he plays a B&H 926 and loved how clear the throat Bb was on the 1010 using the standard fingering.
On his 926 he uses the side key fingering as and where is practical as it's a better quality note nthan the usual fingering, though when playing my 1010 he stuck with the standard Bb fingering for the duration and wished his 926 was like that.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-04-16 00:57
I'm always very impressed at the very good answers I get from this forum.
I can't wait to practice tonight, trying all of the above suggestions. I do think in my case that support and embouchure very likely have a lot to do with it, and I will certainly try to improve in those areas, but I will also try the different fingering combos for my Selmer Signet Special.
I'm a bit reluctant to remove the thumb key...afraid I'll mess it up, but if I'm careful, perhaps I will not. I had read elsewhere that just a tiny bit of foreign matter in that area will mess up the Bb note.
Again, I really appreciate you all, and IF I make significant progress with this note, I will report back to the BB what I did to improve it.
CarlT
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