 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MGT91123
Date: 2013-01-23 00:58
Hi,
I've been playing clarinet for almost two years now. And I've never had a problem like this.
I've had a head cold, stuffy nose, scratchy throat and a cough, for a couple days now. I picked up the clarinet today for first time, after three days, and played. I'm playing a Vito student horn with the mouthpiece that came with it. {I'm also trying a Vandoren B45} I haven't squeaked like I did tonight in a long time. It was mostly on the upper register, something I've never really had a problem with. And that was just playing scales. Didn't even attempt my pieces for the week. I'm playing a Vandoren traditional reed, size 3. Soaked in water first, then it saliva, with no improvement either way.
My lessons are on Thursday's, any help before then is appreciated very much.
Buffet E-11
Buffet Moening Barrel, 65 mm, Backun Protege 65mm
Vadoren BD5 Mouthpiece
Vandoren M/O series gold Lig.
Gonzala's FOF Reeds 2.5
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-01-23 01:40
Try a different reed.
Things like this don't have mystical causes. If this has never been a tendency before, unless you've suddenly changed something about the way you form your embouchure or place your fingers on the open holes, it has to have something to do with some part of the system that *has* changed. The most likely three suspects are a reed that's become inflexible from use or has been broken, a newly damaged mouthpiece or some recently developed leak in the instrument. Sudden squeaking is unlikely to have anything to do with your cold or cough or even the couple of days' layoff you've probably taken to nurse the virus.
So, try a different reed. It's most likely the cause.
If several other reeds behave the same way, look closely at your mouthpiece. Any little chip, burr or other blemish on any of the rails but especially the tip rail or the corners where the rails meet can cause squeaks.
If you find nothing there, check your instrument for leaks or obvious bent keys. If you don't know how to check for leaks, you basically take each section with keys on it separately, close the bottom end with one hand, close all the tone holes with the other and either blow gently or suck at the other end. If blowing causes an obvious hissing sound somewhere or sucking cannot create a vacuum, air is getting under a pad somewhere. If it's a leak (or if you aren't sure) a trip to a repairman might be in order, but call your teacher and get his advice. If he's close enough to you, you might be able to get him (or her) to check the instrument over.
Karl
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2013-01-23 09:16
Have you been mouth breathing whlist you have had your cold. Some people can get into a habit of leaving their mouth slightly open at all times to help their breathing. Are you completely sealing your lips around the mouthpiece now that you are playing again?
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2013-01-23 15:17
The symptoms you describe would imply that your throat, nose, and oral cavity are inflamed and swollen. And you've away from playing for at least three days. While weather may affect behavior of reeds, your being away from playing for three days, in and of itself, may explain some difference in performance if compared to how you played before getting sick.
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Author: dperreno
Date: 2013-01-23 16:44
I agree that something has changed. In additon to the other suggestions, have you tried repositioning the reed on the mouthpiece? Try moving it a little to the left, then a little to the right (while making sure it completely covers the opening)
Doug
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-01-23 17:52
It could simply be a very slight leak in your clarinet. Check to see if the A key on the throat tone A is leaking because the screw that goes onto the G# key has lowered slightly raising the A key. I've seen that happen many times. If not it could still be a slight leak in the upper joint so check that by applying air pressure covering the holes in the upper joint and blocking off the bottom end with you other hand as you blow through the top end.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2013-01-24 01:58
One source of squeaks for me is if I bump open keys like the sliver keys, or fail to completely seal open holes. These things tend to happen more to me after a few days off.
Also, do you rotate on several reeds? Maybe the Reed had extra time to thoroughly dry that it doesn't usually get. Maybe it warped and isn't sealing flat on the mouthpiece table.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: MGT91123
Date: 2013-01-26 23:03
Thanks to everyone who helped me out. This was figured out in my lesson. The reed was too thick and needed to be knifed down. Plus a couple of other things.
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