 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: marba
Date: 2008-07-01 08:03
Hi there
I am in need of some advice, I am returning to the clarinet after nearly 15 years. I am 29 years of age and of course gave up when girls and cars cropped up! I am around grade 4 standard (I have passed this).
I now wish to return to the clarinet but I already have a few questions?
I feel that I am struggling to obtain a clear tone whilst playing in the upper register especially towards the cross over into the lower. B-C.
Just a bit of background,
I've tried 1.5 & 2 reeds, prefer a size 2.
I am using my original clarinet,this is about 20 years old now, Buffet ABS instrument cheapest on the market at the time, but the pads were replaced just before a stopped playing, The instrument itself appears to be in good condition, no leaks and pads seem to fully seating.
What would you suggest,
Am I wasting my time with this instrument, should I buy a wooden one? if so please can you recommend.
I am using the original mouthpiece, would an upgrade be beneficial ? again if so please can you recommend.
or is it just more practice that's needed?
I hope you may be able to help
Thank you
Post Edited (2008-07-01 08:10)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-07-01 10:27
Your B12 will be fine, though do get a better mouthpiece as the plastic mouthpiece that comes with the B12 isn't great - a Vandoren 5RV Lyre is a good place to start, though you may need a slightly harder reed with this(try it with a 2.5 if you feel a 2 is a bit buzzy).
If you're planning to join a local concert band, keep your B12 as a back-up clarinet (especially for outdoor concerts) if you decide to get a wooden clarinet in the future.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bwilber
Date: 2008-07-01 11:36
I would make sure your clarinet is not leaking under any of the pads. Put your hand on the bottom hole on the top joint and cover up all of the keys and blow into it and see if it leaks. Do the same with the bottom joint. Then put those joints together and push the first pad down on the bottom joint and see if the register key on the top joint touches firmly. Make a leak tester from a sliver of phone book paper and slip it under both keys and see if the paper pulls while you pull the paper out and do this with both those keys. Do this all the way around those 2 keys. If those pads are leaking, you will be having a lot of problems getting your clarinet to play properly and you can't really tell if those pads are leaking, just by looking at them.
Bonnie Wilber
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Philcoman
Date: 2008-07-01 17:54
Definitely get lessons if you can! When I couldn't afford the cost or the time, I found a teacher who was willing to arrange occasional lessons to answer my questions and give me direction. But a regular schedule of lessons is best.
As for trouble in the upper register, everyone has it for a while. Practice and the advice of a teacher will help. BTW, the break is notorious for a bit of fuzziness and a lot of us go to great lengths trying to smooth it out.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LicoriceStick
Date: 2008-07-01 19:04
I am also returning to playing after many years. I recently had my clarinet overhauled and it makes all the difference in the world! I agree with Chris - get a nice Vandoren mouthpiece, and try a harder reed. After a couple of weeks of playing regularly again, I'm back to using Vandoren #4. Practice a LOT, and try to take some lessons if you can. Good Luck!! And visit this bulletin board often - great advice here.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bstutsman
Date: 2008-07-05 06:16
Definitely get a teacher. The teacher will help you get restarted without picking up some bad habits. You need to make sure that your playing is fundamentally sound.
Don't get a new horn right away. But do let a repair tech look at your current one. The 5RV mouthpiece is an excellent suggestion. For reeds, and considering you are a full-grown adult, I would suggest first trying the Vandoren blue box #3s or maybe the V12 #3.5s.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2008-07-05 12:10
"get a nice Vandoren mouthpiece, and try a harder reed."
Some "nice" Vandoren mps aren't appropriate for harder reeds.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: butterflymusic
Date: 2008-07-05 15:11
Welcome back! I returned to clarinet after a 20-year hiatus. Don't be discouraged that your playing isn't instantly at the level it was before. Your chops will need time to build up again but once you get some stamina, muscle memory kicks in and you'll be off and running in no time! Have fun!
Beverly
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: johnniegoldfish
Date: 2008-07-05 16:50
Hey Marba,
Recently I returned to the clarinet after many years and like you most of my playing was when I was high school age. Similarly I was having trouble going into the upper register and an astute observer at Ellis music in Royalton VT noticed my right hand was leaning into the the 5 key, Rubank/Albert system, and this certainly was causing squeaks and lock ups. This was on my original VITO, a very student model. The key was realigned slightly and this helped as well as concentrating on proper hand position. I have moved onto a more mature instrument and there is more space for my now larger hands combined with proper hand position, things are progressing nicely. You'll find the problem.
Enjoy!
Johnnie
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
