 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rene
Date: 2002-10-10 06:10
I just discovered from a recording that my first tone after each breathing is often spoiled a bit by an airy attack. Of course, I do the usual thing, stop the reed with the tongue, blow and release the reed to start the tone. Subsequent tones and their articulation sounds normal and crispy. While playing I did not even notice the mistake, only through the recording. The problem is on the complete range of the clarinet, however most obvious in the long clarinet register.
Is there somethng I can do to improve this fast?
By the way, I listened to some masters and found that their very first attack is also a bit worse than the subsequent ones. However, the effect is so small to be neglected.
Rene
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-10 16:35
When tonguing successive notes, the following note always recieves a certain energy from the preceeding--one note leads to the next, etc. The initial articulation--starting the first sound--is more difficult, given the lack of "boost" from any precedding sound. You are starting your breath support, starting the reed vibration with your tongue and setting the entire instruments air column in vibration, all in the seemingly small space of a nano second. It is tough. All you can do, however, is to focus as much aerodynamic pressure at the point of enunciation and hope for a clean attack.
One technique that might help this focal process is to arch the back of your tongue as in saying a long silent "K". This focuses and "accelorates" the air toward the tip of your mouthpiece and helps generate the "wind" energy to "get the sound going." Your observation, BTW, is very keen--something we clarinetists constantly have to work on.
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