 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2011-10-31 01:14
Hi i am a beginner clarinet player. Whenever i play a note in the altissimo register, it tends to be flat. What are some things/drills i can do to prevent this? Thanks alot!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-10-31 03:49
How long have you been playing? That would help us a lot to figure out something just for your needs. Often there are several different fingerings. It can also be the brand of the clarinet, your reeds, reed strengths, and perhaps the mouthpiece. So give us a bit more of your playing background. Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oldvter
Date: 2011-10-31 16:27
Consider also your air speed and quality of your embouchure.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2011-11-01 00:27
well i've playing for around two years. i've gotten over the phase where i can't get those notes out at all. I can get them out fairly easily now, just at the expense of being flat. I play a Jupiter Plastic Clarinet with a Vandoren B-45 mouthpiece and grand concert thick blank size 3.5 reeds.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-11-05 23:55
Opening the right hand sliver key can improve the pitch of several notes in the altissimo register. The effectiveness of this depends upon 1.) your clarinet, and 2.) how you hold your mouth, tongue, throat, ...
Bob Phillips
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-11-06 02:05
Chances are you have to build up your embouchure and breath support. Then you can use a little stronger reed when you're able to support it. Then if you still have that problem it could be a host of other things beginning with your clarinet or what we call "voicing". ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-11-06 03:40
Good comments - Maybe for now stay away from the high notes. Lets work on your breathing. Play long tones starting from low E. Start off soft get up to very load and back down to soft. Do this in one breath. It should take 20 to 30 seconds. Listen very closely to your sound and you will find that parts of the one note is uneven. As you correct this and you are able to play pretty evenly go to the next note, eventually up to C3. Using a tuner is a plus if you have one.
The idea of this study is to get your mouth cavity strong, the tongue in the correct place and a big difference in your sound quality will follow. You need to fix your embouchure and breathe support and this will do it. Most teachers put their students through this exercise. I'm sure a lot of pros do these types of exercises everyday.
After about a month or so, if you are still having issues let us know what -which notes are flat. There's always a cure in the upper register, if needed, by changing your finger placements. This goal is to get (most) of the notes in the upper register in tune.
You will really be happy with the improvements with your sound, and as Eddie said become comfortable and aware with your voicing.
Once you can do this your next instrument to try to master would be the Eb clarinet known also as ether! (spelling?) A wonderful beautiful instrument to play.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-11-06 03:43)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-11-06 22:41
By the way you may find yourself having some muscle pressure, muscle tightness when first starting, just stop, don't force yourself to continue, as the muscles get stronger, your embouchure muscles, you will be able to play more and more, longer and longer.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
