 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2003-01-21 03:57
Hey, I've been playing the clarinet for about a year in a half. I have this problem that I can't play the very high notes. The highest I can play fine is about an A (thumb, register, and first two fingers). I use a size 3 Vandoren reed. I have tried everything but just can't seem to hit anything higher than that.
Thanks
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-01-21 04:26
A lot of things could come into play here, Daniel and that's an odd place for things to go awry.
I suppose by 'tried everything' you you mean you have also tried different size reeds.
Have you tried a different instrument - a different mouthpiece?
Is this a recent thing? I mean, have you been able to play high notes, above A, before and now you can't?
Do all the other notes you're able to play come out okay?
Do you keep your throat relaxed?
Do you tend to 'bite'(pinch) the reed as you play higher?
Do you sit or stand straight and have plenty of air support?
If your answer is 'yes' or 'maybe' to any one or several of these things, you're in good company. Most of us do or have done something that if we quit doing it, or did it differently, would improve our playing.
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Author: jez
Date: 2003-01-21 12:20
Daniel,
I think if you've only been playing 18 months you're not doing too bad if you can get the high A reliably. You don't need to rush things. Don't be tempted to go harder in your reed-choice to try and get notes you probably don't need yet at the expense of your clarity of sound.
The fingering you describe for top A doesn't work for me. The more usual one is thumb, register and 2nd & 3rd fingers but I find it easier with no thumb, no speaker and left hand 1, 2 & 3.
If you're determined to find something higher, try the standard A fingering (TR x23) and add the LH C#G# key and the throat G# key for B flat.
There is an excellent range of altissimo fingerings at;
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org
jez
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-01-21 13:12
I think he is talking about a clarion A as the highest attainable note for him not altissimo A.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-01-21 15:05
Try using more upward pressure from your right hand thumb to hold the mouthpiece more securily in your embouchure. Not using enough thumb support is a common beginner error. Also, try holding your clarinet at a more downward angle (without tilting your head as well). Sometimes, beginning clarinetists will hold the clarinet too "straight out" like some old promotional photos (ala Artie Shaw). V12 3.0 reeds should give you the higher range that you seek.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-01-21 16:56
Daniel: Although a recent problem I had is not identical to yours, you might benefit from the (accidental) solution I found. In the same range (high A and above), I had a strong tendency to squeak (see my thread of 1/4/03). There was a loose tenon ring on my barrel, where it joins the upper joint. Once my tech tightened it, the squeaking was gone! There apparently was a tiny leak at that joint that got sealed by the slight shrinking of the barrel. You may have a similar leak, causing the notes not to respond. Perhaps your cork there (or the one at the mouthpiece/barrel connection) is not sealing properly. Try winding a strip of thin paper over that cork before connecting the pieces. It's worth a try. You never know. Good luck!
Henry
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Author: jez
Date: 2003-01-22 01:41
Daniel,
I'm sorry, I think I misunderstood your "very high notes"
If your having a problem above 1st leger-line A then before changing your reed, mouthpiece or instrument I suggest trying a change of teacher.
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Author: RA
Date: 2003-01-22 01:56
Well maybe while trying to play the higher notes say ahhh eeee which makes your tongue hit the roof of your mouth or in my case and see if puttin gmore air and that technique works.
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Author: David Sapadin
Date: 2003-01-22 06:56
The problem is with your embouchure. Make sure that you are not biting and that your bottom lip is not cushy. If you are bringing pressure from the bottom lip up to the reed to get the note out you are doing it wrong.
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