 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Russell
Date: 1999-11-07 12:52
..You know, I have been playing on my own for 2 years now and the tone at the higher range is difficult to listen to......I think I'm going to look for a good used wood so I can here those round ,full tones I like so much..............What about wood anyway???????
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Author: D.B.
Date: 1999-11-07 20:04
Your Mouthpiece, and reed combo should be looked at first. They can make a world of difference. Remember - it is not the instrument, it is the player - but having a good setup (Reed, Mouthpiece) can certainly help.
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Author: Meri
Date: 1999-11-07 20:08
I agree with the comments above--look first at your technique, reeds, and mouthpiece. I found that the well-made plastic instruments are good until about written E above the treble staff. Second, getting a wood clarinet is a rather large investment; most players usually upgrade at about 4-5 years' playing experience, when they are more certain that they will continue playing.
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Author: Eoin
Date: 1999-11-07 21:52
Investing in a good mouthpiece such as the Vandoren B45 will do wonders for your playing. It did for mine. If you decide to go for a wooden clarinet later, your money won't have been wasted, as the good mouthpiece will almost definitely be better than the standard one provided with a new wooden clarinet.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-11-08 12:31
Invest in a good TEACHER in addition to a good mouthpiece. I have a number of clarinets, including a plastic Vito. I have no problem playing clear to the top of that Vito with good tone.
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Author: William
Date: 1999-11-08 18:30
I agree with Eoin, the most critical factor in your sound on clarinet is the qualityh of your set-up--reed and mouthpiece. As a high school clarinetist, I went to "state" many times as well as placing high in auditions for "all-state" ensembles and people were always suprised to learn that I was playing on a Bundy clarinet. My mp was a Selmer HS## (which I still have) and that was the heart of my youg sound. I couldnt afford a grenadilla instrument until I was a senior. The sound of a wood clarinet is best, but a plastic with a good mp is better than an R-13 with bad mp.
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-11-09 03:16
I am going to depart fromt he consensus (exceot that I agree with Dee that a teacher is very valuable).
I suspect that it is the emboucher that is causing the problem.
Answer this question: Is your mouth open or closed when you are playing?
Are you pinching the reed? If you puff out your cheeks and the tone changes, you are pinching the reed and that will make your tone thin in the chalumeau and clarion registers and shrill in the altissimo. How much mouthpiece are you taking into your mouth? Try a little more (yes, more) mouthpiece with a more flexible emboucher, and don't forget to open your mouth wider or more mouthpiece will do nothing but squeek. More mouthpiece will help you to project.
Also, it's been my observation that the lighter reed strengths (under Vandoren 2.5, say) sound poor above altissimo D.
All above are points that have helped me. I'd be interested on comments from others.
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