 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Michael McC.
Date: 2004-01-08 01:08
When I play directly from a C5 to an A5, I get an awful sound. It's caused from the fact that the a is an overtone of the c, I assume. It's like a popping, squeaking sound. I noticed it tonight while practicing the second half of the theme in the Weber Concertino. Is there any way to stop this, or alleviate it somehow?
Thanks
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-08 01:13
Is it a throaty sound? I consider it to be an "undertone" what I used to get while trying it. Does the A just sound crappy or is it a quick bad sound before the A comes out?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Jerry McD.
Date: 2004-01-08 13:51
without actually being able to hear what you are doing this will only be a guess. I'm assuming you are talking about the slured interval in mm 46. My bet would be that your tongue position is too low. The problem is the overtone series (sounds like an undertone like Alexi pointed out) but not the relationship from C-A, the partials are not that close together in this register. I think what is happening is since your tongue position is too low, the reed wants to vibrate on the fundamental of the A which is D at the bottom of the staff (this can happen even with the register key open).
Try this.....when you play the C the syllable you should think is 'ah' (this would be too open and low for regualr playing but for practicing purposes this will work...when actually playing the syllable for C is closer to 'eh') then for the A move the syllable to 'eeeeee'....so you are going ah-eeeee when you make the interval. Practice moving between the notes very slowly and hopefully the interval will become smooth and even. The idea is that once you are voicing the interval correctly you won't have to bite to make the notes speak.
Sorry this is so long winded, I hope it helps and good luck.
Jerry McD.
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Author: Michael McC.
Date: 2004-01-08 18:32
It's only a quick bad sound before the a comes out. The a, once it is established, sounds fine. It's not a throaty sound, it's more of a scratchy sound, almost an undertone. When I try to voice it, I can do it slowly, but at faster tempos, the sound comes back. May be that I just need it to practice more. Thanks.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-01-08 18:49
An undertone (or "grunt") particularly on the A5 is caused by a number of factors:
1. airflow not fast enough (high tongue position)
2. improper diaphragm support
3. tension in the throat
This is also an especially common problem with Buffet A clarinets from about 160xxx (1975) on, when the register vent tube was lengthened. A common fix on Buffet A clarinets is to shorten the register vent tube by approximately .020" ...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-08 19:15
GBK,
Wasn't it recommended to swap the register tube of the Buffet A with that of a Buffet Bb clarinet?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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