 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: George Fulton
Date: 2002-11-25 04:52
Re subtones in left hand clarion notes (A,B, and C) on A clarinet. My question is: what reed characteristics promote the elimination of subtones?
Discussion: I have many (maybe too many) years performing on clarinet. I didn't used to have noticable subtones. They started some years ago, and I eventually found that I have asthma which may have contributed to subtone production.
The following helps me reduce subtones:
1. High tongue postion (focusing air stream toward reed tip rather than below the tip)
2. Not letting the embouchure change around too much
3. Thinking of blowing a fast, focused air stream.
I once had someone tell me that if all else failed, don't bite but think of supplying embouchure pressure with the top teeth. Since the lower jaw only moves, I suppose the suggestion was one of concept which would probably result in not applying too much pressure with the lower jaw. But this suggestion hasn't helped.
I have no subtones on the Selmer Signature A clarinet, however I like other characteristics on the Buffet R-13 and still prefer the Buffet in spite of subtones.
Recently I switched to Vandoren Black Master reeds and found that I had much less difficulty with subtones. So I think there are some reed characteristics that contribute to subtone production and other charateristics that help eliminate subtones.
Has anyone had the same experience, and, if so, what reed characterictics have you found help eliminate subtones? Also what reed adjustments might lessen subtone production?
Thank you for any responses!
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-11-25 06:07
On this matter Klarinet mailing list had once several responses.
1)Generally A clarinet has a tendency to emit subtone.
2)Especially R-13 A clarinet has this problem for ssome people
because of its barrel design and longet register tube length.
3)Register tube length should have an openness of a dime to
avoid subtone(or undertone).
4)Physical problem such as diapragm(softer air column pressure)
or softer mouthpiece bite.
These are their URL addresses:
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/2000/11/000474.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1995/09/000417.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1999/02/000788.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1998/10/000684.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/2001/07/000711.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/2001/02/000007.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1998/10/000928.txt
http://www.woodwind.org/Databases/Logs/1998/10/000886.txt
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-25 22:36
I got subtones on my Bb once when using a Zonda reed. From G (2 above middle C) to an octave above, I got a perfect-sounding octave below, just as clear as the upper note. Since that particular reed, I've never been able to get this effect again.
Close encounters of the Buffet kind!
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Author: George Fulton
Date: 2002-11-25 23:50
I apologize for causing your work to look up past posts. I have done that many times. I am really trying to isolate the reed characteristics issue to see if anyone has identified certain reed characteristics that contribute to subtones and what reed adjustments might be made to lessen subtones. Thank you for helping me to better define my question!
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Author: Brad Cohen
Date: 2002-11-26 16:43
Sometimes if the amount of the register key opening is too large it can encourage these subtones (i.e. the distance between the pad and the tone hole). You can test this by backing off the register key a little and see if that resolves the problem.
My teacher heard subtones when I was practicing the solo from Pines of Rome and had me put a small piece of paper behind the register key. This made the distance from pad to hole about a mm less. No more subtones!
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