 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Douggie
Date: 2018-10-03 03:44
I’m an adult learner, playing clarinet about 1.5 years. I played sax for a couple of years at school (about 30 years ago) and I suspect that while this experience helped me get the clarinet to speak initially, I have probably never developed a ‘proper’ clarinet embouchure. My teacher doesn’t seek to think I have any embouchure issues, though, and when I ask about my tone his response is usually ‘fine’ or ‘good’. However, I do feel that my tone is lacking, and want to improve it. So, after a fair bit of reading / watching Michelle Anderson’s videos, I tried the following changes:
- Less lower lip over bottom teeth, lip pulled a bit tighter against teeth.
- Chin pulled down more
- Lips more “oh / ooo” to surround MP (I had trouble with air leaks here in the past)
- Back of tongue higher / against upper teeth
- Straighter, more upright / forward facing posture (I do tend to look down)
- Work on air support
These feel like quite big changes, and the whole embouchure feels very different. However, there is a BIG improvement in tone – lower notes sound much fuller / more resonant, and higher notes smoother and sweeter. It is now much easier to articulate in the altissimo register, and notes that I had previously had trouble with (F#6, G6) speak much more easily.
However, these changes completely kill A5 (first line above staff), which now comes out as an overblown squeak. Sometimes I can get it to sound properly, but it quickly reverts to the squeak. This also occasionally happens (but to a much lesser extent) with G5. No issues with any other notes. If I revert back to my normal “don’t think about it” embouchure, then I can play A5 / G5 without any problems.
I know I’ve made a lot of changes at once. I’ve tried to isolate exactly which change is causing the problem, but without success. Any thoughts much appreciated! Thanks..
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2018-10-03 04:24
It is hard for me to think that one (or two) notes would be affected so differently than the remaining panoply of notes on the horn.
My thought is a mechanical issue with the pad in between the first and second fingers of the left hand. Perhaps the pad is becoming defective (torn/cracked bladder) or the second finger ring is too low or two high causing either the pad not to seal or the the tone hole itself (finger pad not reaching the tone hole).
Or with all the changes in embouchure, you do something different with your fingers (a tensing or changing of position) when you move to all the new postures elsewhere.
It's not uncommon for issues to affect the upper 12ths more so than the chalumeau register.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2018-10-03 06:27
This may be a combination of several things. I seem to recall hearing that the bore taper on some makes of clarinet changes slightly at about that point in the upper joint. I note you also mention F#6, which has the same lh ring finger opening.
On my R13s the resistance of the notes around A5 seems to change slightly compared to lower clarion, and so does the sound quality. I used to have a bit of trouble that area, often in the form of brief lower pitched "grunts" at the beginning of A5-C5. With trial and experience that difficulty went away, though perhaps there remains some difference of tone quality. The solution was a matter of tongue position, shape, and tension. One basic formation should achieve "your" sound on those and all other notes, but the exact configuration would probably be a different for every individual.
However, what you describe does indeed sound like a leak, and I bet you have at least a slight one somewhere near the open lh ring hole. You can play and sort of overpower slight leaks with a particular setup & embouchure, though it might not get you the best overall sound, which is what you are seeking at this time. So I'd start there - check for leaks.
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Author: Douggie
Date: 2018-10-03 07:22
Thanks Paul and Philip. I'll check it out for leaks and see if i'm doing something with different with my fingers tonight...
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2018-10-03 07:45
The thing with the high tongue "against the upper teeth" sounds a little bit like a voicing technique for the altissimo. You might try easing off on that and see if it helps.
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Author: Douggie
Date: 2018-10-03 08:10
dorjepismo: now that you mention it, I was trying to improve altissimo notes as well as overall tone. So yes, tongue position could be an issue here, thanks!
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Author: QuickStart Clarinet
Date: 2018-10-03 16:42
I agree with the others that it is most likely an instrument or finger issue, but if that is not the case, my guess would be you are putting too much pressure on the reed, and overblowing those notes into the next register (A5 becomes F6 approximately).
It is great to think about embouchure, but I find sometimes putting too much energy into the embouchure can make it too tight and cause problems. Once you have a good embouchure going just focus on keeping it steady and using the air to control the sound.
Also, if you are teacher thinks you have a good sound, but you disagree. Unless they are wanting to focus on something else and waiting to address tone later, you may want to consider finding a new teacher.
Josh Goo
QuickStart Clarinet Founder
www.quickstartclarinet.com
Post Edited (2018-10-03 16:44)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2018-10-04 15:43
I disagree with the others that it's an instrument or finger issue. By all means, have the instrument checked and use a mirror to check your fingers --it's good advice and common sense.
You have made many improvements to embouchure and wind production. All of these facilitate the reeds vibration and the ease with which the instrument plays.
Your new habits, as you testify, have improved the overall response and the ease with which you play altissimo notes.
Your old habits include almost imperceptible adjustments which enabled your old playing -- including subtle embouchure adjustments to enable your sound within the framework of the old habits.
Those "old" embouchure adjustments are still active. Combined with your new habits you're "doing more than you need to" and A5 becomes F#6.
I find these things to occur frequently in the students I teach as they adopt improved habits. RELAX. Your new habits are enabling greater ease and control. Every time you over-voice A5, sustain the higher note and relax it down to A5. Notice what is occurring in your voicing/musculature -- and relax.
In the developmental context squeaks are just not mistakes: they are simply high notes, played with great ease, at a time when you didn't intend to.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Douggie
Date: 2018-10-05 02:52
Josh - thanks for the comments..I'm thinking that my problems could well be a result of over compensation or as you say putting too much energy into the embouchure.
James - your explanations make a great deal of sense to me. I know I need to relax more and will make that a priority. Thank you for the encouraging words
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