 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt Carlton
Date: 2002-11-23 15:45
I need some good clarinet advice here. I'm primarily a saxophone player who wants to really bring my clarinet playing up to par. Now when I tune everything is pushed in and I still play flat. I guess my options are to 1) correct my embochure, 2) get a new shorter barrel or 3) do both. I know that I should also start taking lessons on clarinet. What does everyone reccomend I do?
I guess I should also tell you what I am playing on. I use a newer Buffet R13 with a Morgan RM-15 and a Vandoren V12 3-strength reed.
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Author: Vaughn Stoheim
Date: 2002-11-23 17:15
Practice to gain strength and control of your embroschure,then sell the saxophone.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-11-23 17:20
Sax players usually tend to play a little flatter with a more open mouthpiece on clarinet. If you like your mouthpiece get a shorter barrel otherwise find more closed mouthpiece.
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Author: Marcia
Date: 2002-11-23 17:25
As a sax player your embouchure is not likely going to be firm enough for clarinet, hence your tendancy to pkay flat. (I also play both but am primarily a clarinetist.) Getting a shorter barrel is a good idea, and then practise, practise, practise to develope the iron chops required for a good clarinet tone. Maybe a lesson or two as well to help you in the right direction.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-11-24 08:25
1. Make sure it is an appropriate embouchure. A clarinet embouchure is not the same as the most recommended sax embouchure. With sax you bunch up the lower lip before laying the reed/,mouthpiece on it. With clarinet you pull your lips sideways to make the centre lip thin. With sax you have this thick reed cushion more in front of your lower teeth; with clarinet the THIN reed cushion is ABOVE your lower teeth For both embouchures you then close the sides of the lips like a rubber band. The end result is very different.
2. A lot more air pressure in your blowing, which may require more physical fitness.
3. Too much mouthpiece in the mouth? It should be significantly less than for sax.
4. Reed to hard for you lack of experience?
5. A cold room probably affects clarinet pitch more it does for a sax.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-11-24 08:26
1. Make sure it is an appropriate embouchure. A clarinet embouchure is not the same as the most recommended sax embouchure. With sax you bunch up the lower lip before laying the reed/,mouthpiece on it. With clarinet you pull your lips sideways to make the centre lip thin. With sax you have this thick reed cushion more in front of your lower teeth; with clarinet the THIN reed cushion is ABOVE your lower teeth For both embouchures you then close the sides of the lips like a rubber band. The end result is very different.
2. A lot more air pressure in your blowing, which may require more physical fitness.
3. Too much mouthpiece in the mouth? It should be significantly less than for sax.
4. Reed to hard for you lack of experience?
5. A cold room probably affects clarinet pitch more than it does for a sax.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-11-25 14:10
Shorter barrel, better embouchure--all good advise. Some sax players like the Vandoren 5JB mouthpiece. But, mouthpieces and barrels alone won't change your pitch without the practice and improvement on the embouchure.
Your might try something like the Click barrel (found at most local music stores or online) that you can "click" up and down until you find your pitch.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-11-25 18:44
Matt -
As you've found, there's a substantial difference between clarinet and sax, and the change is more difficult going from sax to clarinet than from clarinet to sax, because the embouchure is tighter.
If it's possible, the best way to get your clarinet playing right is put away the sax for a month. Work hard and exclusively on the clarinet, and it will come around. You won't have any trouble picking up sax again -- a few days is all it will take, because it's going back to something you know.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-11-25 19:06
I agree with Ken. It's more difficult to play the clarinet than most people think. That is--it's more difficult to play in tune and with a good sound. It really requires single-minded focusing on the clarinet and the desired tone results to become an accomplished musician on the instrument. Most doublers find it a bit difficult to achieve a good sound on the clarinet and often settle for a compromised tone. While this may be ok for some listeners, it's good to hear from someone who wants to improve.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-27 02:07
Rather than attack the problem with a similar facing as your sax, I would suggest a more middlin' approach... the RM-06 may be a better starting point, with a medium reed (#2 1/2 or so) until you gain more familiarity with the 'Pain stick'.
The Bradley tuning barrel may also offer a shorter barrel to get you closer to pitch for the time being.
(It should NOT be a struggle.)
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Author: Matt Carlton
Date: 2002-11-27 17:20
Wonderful advice everyone!!!
Ken---Unfortunately I cannot put the sax down for a month due to my recital on Feb 23rd. Fortunately I could probably devote more time to clarinet after that, especially during the summer.
Gordon---Wonderful advice as usual. I will pay much more attention to my embochure.
I seem to get a very nice sound with the setup I have, it's just that everything is flat. I think over my Christmas vacation I will do a little barrel shopping. Should I possibly look into a Chadash or Moenning barrel?
Thanks for the input.
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