 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetplyr89
Date: 2003-09-14 20:30
I've been playing the B-flat clarinet for three years, since sixth grade. I play on a Selmer 1400. Lately, though, I've been having trouble playing notes on the upper register without squeaking when I play them. I don't think there's anything wrong with my clarinet. I play on a Mitchell Lurie, size 2 1/2 and 3. What could be causing the squeaking?
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Author: Melissa
Date: 2003-09-14 22:34
maybe your reeds are to strong or are not strong enough, or maybe you need to put more energy behind your tone (more air). You should talk to your school music teacher, or maybe a clarinet teacher in your area.
Melissa
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-09-14 22:35
CP 89, We have talked a lot about squeeking problems, its usually due to leaky pads and/or non-covering of tone holes. Do you mean the clarion register, mid-staff B to "high" C, or the altissimo [above]?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-09-15 00:14
CP 89,
Have you had someone else try your clarinet? Did they also squeak? Or have you tried someone else's clarinet? Did you still squeak?
As Don Berger asked "which register are you squeaking in?" This can make a lot of difference. If just across the break, I would suspect a leaky pad or a crow's foot out of adjustment. A bent bridge key can also prevent the first pad in the lower sction from closing completely which can be a big problem for any notes below G5 or even over the higher break from C6 to D6.
HRL
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-09-15 01:23
Here is a "Common Causes of Squeaks" checklist. It is not exhaustive but I hope there is something useful on it for you.
Hank Lehrer's message (above) has good diagnostic ideas.
Hans
a dry reed
accidentally touching a key
the middle (bridge) joint in a clarinet is not properly aligned
using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
a finger not covering a hole
a pad not seating properly
a weak spring not holding a key closed
keys out of adjustment (e.g., the A key)
unco-ordinated fingering
a leaking joint
a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
too much mouthpiece in the mouth
a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
misapplied lip pressure
a reed is split
the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one
side than the other
a poorly designed or warped mouthpiece (a warped mouthpiece can
be refaced)
the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too high
Post Edited (2003-09-15 01:27)
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Author: lyn
Date: 2003-09-16 02:14
Odds are (especially since you say it's the upper register) you're playing on too soft a reed, and pinching it closed in trying to control it. 2-1/2 is really too soft for someone who's been playing three years. You should be on at least 3s by now, and preferably 3-1/2s.
You can try a harder reed. Sometimes that helps. But I find that when you start pinching, you have to make yourself break the habit, because you'll keep doing it no matter how hard/soft the reed is.
Try relaxing and barely touch the mouthpiece when you play (you can do this using double lip, too - it's easier to relax using double lip). Go to the opposite extreme, very loose, then work your way back, add a little pressure and play scales for a while; add a little more pressure, do this until you feel comfortable.
What kind of mouthpiece are you using?
~l
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