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 Playing flat, always??
Author: JJiimm 
Date:   2003-05-20 15:35

I have a friend that I have been playing with in ensembles, that continually plays flat..We have played together over ten years..You may say clarinet, reeds, barrels, etc. but no, when we give her our clarinets to play on, our mouth pieces, our reeds, she still plays flat!!
She also plays the familys of recorders, when she plays those, she is on pitch OK.
She plays in her community band, and still plays flat, they have to tune down to her..
Can anyone solve this mystery??
JJiimm

JJiimm

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: GBK 
Date:   2003-05-20 15:59

Suggest that your friend try bringing the clarinet in closer to the body, thus blowing more across the reed.

How is the embouchure? Is there too much bottom lip inserted into the mouth? ...GBK



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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Fred 
Date:   2003-05-20 17:12

I suspect she's playing the clarinet (embouchure-wise) like it was a recorder. That would be a can't miss recipe for playing flat.

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Benni 
Date:   2003-05-20 20:59

If her tongue is really low/flat in the back, that can make a note go flat very easily . . .

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Liquorice 
Date:   2003-05-20 21:50

See what happens if she pushes her chin forward.

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Dee 
Date:   2003-05-20 23:47

Her air support may also be inadequate if she is more accustomed to recorders. On a clarinet, whether playing soft or loud, one must have strong air support (i.e. high pressure air) to keep from going flat.

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: ron b 
Date:   2003-05-21 01:49

I think Fred's onto the problem right off. Recorders don't need much embouchure effort to play all right.
First question that comes to my mind is, does she Know she plays flat? Is she aware that she needs to 'tune up' to the rest of the crowd? It sounds, from what you say, as though your friend is not aware she's playing out of tune.

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Gordon (NZ) 
Date:   2003-05-21 12:04

I think Dee is right on the button.

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Katrina 
Date:   2003-05-21 16:39

I think both Dee and Fred are correct...if it's that consistent, it's probably BOTH air support AND embouchure.

My $.02...

Katrina

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 Re: Playing flat, always??
Author: Herb Huey 
Date:   2003-05-21 18:53

You might suggest that she use a chromatic tuner to check her pitch when she practices. The Korg CA-30 is really cheap around $20.

Herb

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