 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: philip
Date: 2003-08-13 20:17
I am a very beginner clarinet player. What I mean is I just know how to play a scale. I tend to squeak alot when I blow. Why am I doing that? Is it something to do with reed? Please give me some advice. Thank you!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-08-13 21:46
Here's my guesses. More than likely you're biting too hard on a soft reed. Loosen up your jaw. Also, don't take in a lot of mouthpiece. Try to aim for having your bottom lip hit the reed BEFORE it starts to slope up into the un-peeled cane. A few lessons in the beginning would be MORE than helpful (just until you can get all the notes in the chalemeu and clarion with a decent tone). Then I would guess you could work the rest of the studies out yourself. However if cost is an issue, keep searching this board for answers to your questions and if you can't find it with a search, ask a Q.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-08-13 21:49
Philip...it's quite common and nothing to worry about and will disappear as you develop your mouth muscles with practice.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-08-14 01:27
At first I squeaked a lot due to not covering all or some of the holes. After eight months, I still do but a lot less. Just keep practicing and noticing what's going on with your hands and your emboucher when you hear a squeak.
Leonard
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-08-14 02:22
Philip,
A very common cause of squeaking is a dry reed. Others are a bridge out of adjustment or a pad that is not closing properly.
What strength reed are you using?
Are there some notes that squeak more than others?
Hans
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-08-14 11:47
Squeaks are normal!
Almost four years of playing, and I still get them (less often, but still...)
Here are a few of the pitfalls that I still find...
The reed should be centered over the mouthpiece so that you see the same amount of 'side rail' on either side of your reed.
The tip of your reed should come no further than the tip of your mouthpiece.
Where the reed is clamped to the mouthpiece, some condensation may form
and this may make the reed harder to control.
Your instrument should assemble so that there are no leaks when all the keys are closed. Small leaks can make a BIG difference.
Even if your clarinet is new, have it looked over by your local repair shop.
Problems with equipment at the beginning can derail your progress.
Lastly - it's a WIND instrument... more air will overcome many problems.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-08-14 14:33
"and will disappear as you develop your mouth muscles with practice."
I would change this statement to read, "and will *almost* disappear as........(etc)"
As you gain experiance through practicing and playing, the squeaks will grow "few and far between", but will never completely cease to occure. They are just recurring gremlins that we clarinetists have to deal with from time to time. As most squeaks (and other errors as well) occure as a result of mental or physical fatigue, staying "in shape" is a good preventative strategy. Ana, as Lance Armstrong's commercial says, "it isn't the amount of energy you have, it's how much energy you have in reserve." If you develope the playing stamina to "go the distance" (and beyond), you will definately lessen the chance for error when you want to (need to) play your best.
For now, establish as regular practice schedule, follow the excellant advice given by the postings above and just try not to squeak so much. They will become less and less frequent, but not sqeaking (or making other errors) will be a never ending quest, believe me. It is indeed rare for any musician to perform an error free concert--even the "best of the best" pros have their moments. That is why the recording industry invented the retake.
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Author: ClaRiNeT_CaNdY
Date: 2003-08-16 05:27
i once attended a course conducted by andrew simon (world known clarinetist) and he taught me how not to squeak. its very simple actually, first you put your mouthpiece all the way up to the back of ur teeth (if u noe wad i mean) it's like 'poking' you gum but of c0s u don't probe ur mouthpiece on ur gum u'll ruin ur reed. it's proven to be quite useful but slightly uncomfortable so i don't really use that method all the time.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-08-16 05:43
ClaRiNeT_CaNdY wrote:
>
> i once attended a course conducted by andrew simon (world known
> clarinetist) and he taught me how not to squeak. its very
> simple actually, first you put your mouthpiece all the way up
> to the back of ur teeth (if u noe wad i mean) it's like
> 'poking' you gum but of c0s u don't probe ur mouthpiece on ur
> gum u'll ruin ur reed. it's proven to be quite useful but
> slightly uncomfortable so i don't really use that method all
> the time.
If it's uncomfortable, just pull it down a little bit. Or angle the clarinet so after your touch the back of your teeth, just angle it so it teeters in your mouth not touching your gums. I think the main thing here is to make sure you don't take in too much mouthpiece.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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