 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mohannad
Date: 2013-03-09 23:12
I am a high school student new to the clarinet, I am encountering a few problems, and am looking for some help or advice,
the clarinet is a Bb clarinet, plastic
the first problem is that the notes that are fingering higher up the clarinet such as open G and the A a step of above open G sound very airy weak and bad so that when I try to play an octave c major scale (concert Bb major), when I am descending I play the high C, then the high B, then the A, when I play the A there is sudden drop in volume and it sounds fuzzy, so that the scale just doesn't sound right, I have to sharp and solid sounding high C and high B followed by a wimpy A. The main problem is the A sounding really bad. I also get a similar effect when I play a C maj arpeggio with CEG high C, from High C to open G. How can I fix these wimpy sounding notes,
my second problem is that the notes that require covering a lot of holes such as a low F, especially with the register key like when I am playing high D, C, B etc, the notes take a long time to start, I my embouchure is the same and the air I'm blowing seems to be the same but suddenly I feel like there is a lot of more resistance and no matter what I do, there is a latency between me beginning to blow to get the note or releasing my tongue if I was tonguing from another note. The note takes time to sound, is there something specific that I should be doing or just lack of practice, and if so how can I practice playing higher notes with the register key
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-03-10 00:18
Hi Mohannad,
Open G, G#, A, and Bb are called "throat tones". They are inherently weaker in substance and quality on most clarinets, including some professional models. It is very likely this is just a characteristic of your instrument. They way you describe it, however, makes me wonder if the keys open enough (vent enough) when you press them. A repair technician or experienced clarinetist can tell you very quickly.
In regards to notes that require many fingers, their resistance, and the inability to start them exactly on time: I believe that if you look in a mirror as you play you'll discover that your fingers are not actually closing the holes completely when you play these notes. The ring fingers especially have difficulty until you've taught them to operate independently. Because the fingers aren't closing the holes, the notes don't speak on time and require a lot of air to speak "properly".
If the fingers aren't closing the holes accurately, you're almost certainly squeezing the clarinet to "make" the sound come out: counter-intuitively, the more you squeeze the less well your fingers cover.
Again -- it's possible that something is wrong with the instrument. It's worth your time to visit a repair tech for a quick evaluation and/or a more experienced clarinetist for a quick lesson.
Good luck and keep at it! Your ability to communicate your difficulty and experiences is wonderful!
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2013-03-10 00:20)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-03-10 00:53
Have another student (an experienced clarinet player) play the instrument.
It sounds like yours needs to go to the shop for repair.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Mohannad
Date: 2013-03-10 02:18
THANK YOU, that was extremely helpful, throat tones!
You are absolutely right about my fingers, I am not covering the holes and then squeezing to get the notes!
I just learned so much more about the clarinet.
Post Edited (2013-03-10 03:20)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-03-10 14:12
That's awesome Mohannad! It's an interesting challenge to diagnose another person's problems by how they describe them (not being able to actually hear them). Your description was excellent -- so you made it significantly easier!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2013-03-11 16:40
Later, you'll want to know about "resonance fingerings" that can greatly improve the sound quality of the A and Bb in the throat tones. These cover some more holes to improve the sound. They are awkward for a new player, but you might want to try them out just to see what they'll do on your instrument.
For the throat A:
A key then put down your left hand middle and ring fingers and one of the pinky key low F (or C) keys.
Try the same additions while playing the middle line Bb: {A key + Register key.}
Enjoy your adventure with the clarinet.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-03-11 18:58
Hi Bob,
Have you found, through the several clarinets that you've owned, that the resonance fingerings you prefer has remained consistent? I'm just curious.
Thanks!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2013-03-12 16:55
James:
NO, I've been playing on a Buffet RC Bb for several years and gotten habituated to using resonance fingerings AR OXX|OOO C/F, with the C/F pinky chosen according to what note comes next.
The RC "likes" some help with the throat A as well.
On a Lyrique A, my habit sometimes hurts the timbre of the A, so I need to remember not to add the extra fingers.
I've recently substituted a Yamaha SE (wonderful horn, this one!), and it "likes" the pinky C key, and the two left hand fingers don't always make the A's sound blend with other notes.
Reading parts that I marked up years ago, I find warnings to use the trill key Bb; but the resonance fingerings sound better.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-03-12 17:31
Hi Bob,
That's been my experience too. Each horn's best resonance fingerings have been slightly (or drastically!) different. With my students I start with the "basic" concept of covering with the three right hand fingers, and then graduate to real resonance fingerings as their technique and instruments improve in quality.
James
"basic" in quotes because covering is not basic for some, and the three RH fingers are not automatically the place some teachers start.
Gnothi Seauton
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