 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2003-12-09 00:42
Something that has been bothering me about my playing lately is a certain harshness of tone that has come into my chalmeau register. How do I fix this?
PS: This has only been a big problem in recent times, so I was wondering if it might be a problem that has come up with my clarinet. I suspect it might be a combination of me and the instrument.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-09 03:32
I get what I woiuld call a harsher tone in chalemeau when I use too soft a reed. The way I feel is that you should use a reed strength that requires a VERY firm embouchre in the lower notes. The lower the note, the firmer the embouchre. So try a harder reed and if those chalemeau notes sound airy and not as round, firm up the embouchre while playing them, then loosen up a bit as you go into the upper clarion and altissimo.
That's the only thing I can think of.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2003-12-09 10:01
Hi Rachel,
Well, my experience is that using too hard a reed will lead to some "harshness" in tone quality. The notes in the chalumeau register will suffer most while the clarinet register remains ok.
With harshness I mean an airy, unfocused sound with some unpleasant harmonics.
Hope this helps.
Jeroen
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Author: Rachel
Date: 2003-12-09 23:04
Ok, so I should use a harder reed, AND a softer reed. Do you think maybe I should get a really thick, hard reed and sand down one side of it so it is really soft?
The sound is very focused- no airiness about it- but there are a whole lot of unpleasant harmonics. My clarion register is great.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-10 01:18
If it's not airy, try a harder reed. If it IS airy, use a softer reed or firmen up the embouchre while playing those airy notes.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Burt
Date: 2003-12-10 02:05
Can you borrow somebody else's clarinet to verify that it's not a problem with your clarinet, such as a leak?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-10 02:25
Or you can have them play yours and that'll do the same as well. ALthough I'd be willing to bet a fair amount of money that it's the reed.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-12-10 04:32
Yeah, just make your own reeds. lol
Also, make sure there are no leaks? Maybe a slight leak in the bottom joint could be causing some kind of problem.
Reed is also a good idea to check. Try a couple to see if that can be ruled out.
Have you switched anything lately? New lig or mouthpiece? Maybe something like that has effected it.
--Contragirl
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-10 14:54
If your original post analysis is correct then I would go with the "something happened to the clarinet" hypothesis.....loose pad,leaky pad, weak spring etc etc. ......hopefully not a crack.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-11 01:18
Go ahead and try all the advice. If you still can't figure it out, find a teacher and ask them for help/advice. Visit a local college or very good high school. Between all the clarinetists and/or teachers there you should be able to find ONE that is willing to give fifteen minutes of their life to help you diagnose this problem.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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