 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: panda
Date: 2004-02-07 11:34
hello i'm new to this forum but have enjoyed reading the topics and advice on here. two weeks ago i was given a buffet b10 and have just started to teach myself to play. i am having fun and can get quite a good sound out of my clarinet. the only thing is i get tired easily when playing, is this just because i am not used to playing the clarinet. i have been playing the descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders for 23 years (since the age of 4) and am amazed at the different technique needed to play the clarinet. I am currently using a size 2½ rico reed and am getting a slightly breathy sound (i have bought some vandorens the same size but can hardly get a sound out of it) is this reed too hard for me. I am really proud to have added the clarinet to my life and am looking forward to many years of enjoyment ,any advice for a beginner would be welcome.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mags
Date: 2004-02-07 12:46
Hello there...Well I am also a beginner....I have been playing every day since last November...I feel like I was the only person in the world playing a size 1 reed.....I am now a size 1 1/2....but I know I can play 2 now...However...like you it does sound a bit 'breathy'...just...not quite right. I am in no rush....I'll stick to the 1 1/2 s for now.....In my ..not very professional opinion....but an opinion none the less....I would suggest you try the lower reed...By the way, I am starting sax as well...but I am starting on a 1 1/2....Best of luck to you....Margaret..xx
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: panda
Date: 2004-02-07 12:51
thanks for the advice it's most appreciated, i was thinking of trying a lower size reed and after reading your answer i definitely will.
it's nice to hear off a fellow beginner. Panda.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2004-02-07 14:22
I began in 1939 and don't recall the name or strength of the reed. I probably used that reed for a year or so due to economic reasons. It's so refreshing to hear about today's beginners' learning experiences . You are exlperiencing the weak embochure phenom I guess.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msroboto
Date: 2004-02-07 14:31
Get a teacher....unlearning can be harder than learning
Even if you only go for a few lessons on proper embouchure it will save you in the long run.
An unlearner
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: panda
Date: 2004-02-07 15:20
i would love to be able to afford some lessons the only problem is that where i live (manchester uk) the cheapest clarinet teacher starts at £18 for half an hour. i would learn off a local clarinet player but don't know where to start looking. any advice?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: wyatt
Date: 2004-02-07 15:34
#1 try moving the reed up or down on the mouthpiece a wee bit. There is no one place the reed must go.
#2 check with a local college, they may have a musis program opened to the public.
Most or us are beginner. I began 5 years ago, and have a LONG way to travel.
Peace
bob gardner}ÜJ
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msroboto
Date: 2004-02-07 16:12
To find a teacher a local college would be a great place to start. You can try a local music store if there is one as well. They may have people giving lessons there or know people who give lessons.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jo.clarinet
Date: 2004-02-07 16:20
The Royal Northern College of Music is in Manchester. There are bound to be students there who'd be glad to earn some extra money, and who would certainly charge less than the amount you've been quoted. Good luck!
Joanna Brown
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-02-07 16:39
I started playing almost three years ago.
Just three pieces of advice:
Get a teacher! I would be very surprised if there is no-one in Manchester at less than £18 for half-an-hour. Down South that sort of money buys one of the best local teachers. A young teacher, fresh out of college, should be half that price. Try ringing local schools (or Chethams if you feel ambitious) and ask to be put in touch with the teachers they use.
Are you using the mouthpiece that came with the B10? It is generally agreed that Buffet mouthpieces are not much good. Worth investing in something better. If I were you I'd find the teacher first, and take his advice on what to buy. Otherwise, the consensus on this BBoard seems to be that Fobes and Hite make the best cheap mouthpieces, though I'm not sure they are quite so easy to find in England as they seem to be in the USA. I played a Vandoren 5RVLyre till recently, and it is usually considered a good choice, but they do cost nearly £60.
Everyone has their own preferences in reeds, but it is also generally agreed that the cheap Rico are not great. I play Vandoren now, but when I started I found Mitchell Lurie to be the easiest to play. They are softer than most; 2.5 should be fine. You should find them in local shops, otherwise try http://www.reeds-direct.co.uk who are cheap and reliable. They only sell reeds by the box: while you're experimenting it's best therefore to buy Mitchell Lurie Premium which cost slightly more per reed but come in boxes of 5 rather than 10. Bear in mind that a change of mouthpiece may well mean you need a different strength of reed.
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
Post Edited (2004-02-07 18:36)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mags
Date: 2004-02-07 18:07
panda...i am on the south coast of hants...mine charges £20 an hour. However..it is worth every single penny plus more....( can't you just tell i'm falling in love with him.....hope my husband never sees this)...Anyway,'My' teacher...advertises in a local music shop...it really is worth trying to get a teacher....i have given up alcohol....and buying sweets and takeaways...to pay for the lessons....but I still say...try a lower reed....cheers, Margaretxx
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-02-07 18:52
I should maybe add that I was also a recorder player for many years (even longer than you) and I wouldn't entirely endorse the suggestion of using a softer reed. The thing about the clarinet is, you have to BLOW into the damn thing. Or at least that's how it feels. It's not like a recorder where you coax the sound out. If you use a very soft reed, you'll make it easier to play, but you may also build bad habits.
But I reiterate what I said before:
(1) get a teacher if you can
(2) get the teacher's advice on a better mouthpiece
(3) find out what reeds work for you on that mouthpiece.
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-02-07 19:09
Along the lines of David's suggestion, some very helpful advice I've been given...
For clarinet and oboe, just HONK. Don't try to make the sound pretty with your mouth, that's what fingers, timing, and phrasing are for. Keep a firm, steady airstream. (That said, don't intentionally make the sound ugly either)
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: growlingbunny910
Date: 2004-02-07 21:12
staring out with a 2 to 2-1/2 strength reed is normal. Different reed manufacturers will feel different even tho the same strength.
soak your reed when new for 3 minutes in water then take out.
The better reeds well give you a better sound. After a while, try moving up to Mitchell Lurie Preminum reeds or something similar. Also, consider a preminum ligature for the future. These few things along with a good clarinet will make the world of dirfferent in tonal quality.
Someone else suggested getting private lessons......HOORAY!!!
That is the best advice.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-07 22:21
panda said:
> I am currently using a size 2½ rico reed
> and am getting a slightly breathy sound
> (i have bought some vandorens the same size
> but can hardly get a sound out of it)
> is this reed too hard for me
Yes.. the Vandorens are too hard for you.
A Rico #2½ reed is roughly equivalent to a #2 blue box Vandoren reed. Vandoren #2½ reeds are about the same relative strength as a Rico #3 reed.
Since basic Rico reeds are fairly poor in cane quality, I would start using a bit better brand. Zonda Classico (my favorite beginner reeds), Mitchell Luries, Grand Concert Traditional, or blue box Vandorens are all fine. You will notice a big difference in sound and response from the basic Ricos you are now using.
At this point, more important than the reed is a quality beginner mouthpiece. If you are using the stock Buffet mouthpiece which came with the B10, I would immediately discard it (or give it to the dog to chew on). For about $35 invest in either a Hite Premier or Fobes Debut mouthpiece. Both have carefully applied facings which are very reed friendly and will make your beginning days on the clarinet much more enjoyable.
No need to invest in a premium ligature (as was suggested above) at this point. As long as the reed is securely held on the mouthpiece, you should be fine. If you want to upgrade to a different ligature, either a basic Rovner or Bonade inverted would service you well and are not a big investment.
Find a teacher to help guide you through the first months of clarinet playing. It is money well spent to get off to a good start with the basics securely in place...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ironvic
Date: 2004-02-08 02:20
Hi Panda:
I always played with a 2 1/2 reed on my old Normandy as this softer reed tended to feel best due to my starting out with Tenor (then Soprano, Alto and Sopranino) recorders. After I sold it a few years ago and went back to recorders, I really HAD TO HAVE a clarinet again. (Funny how these great instruments grow on you...) I just bought a used and well cared for Buffet B-12 at a local music shop and tried all kinds of mouthpieces on it.
I found that a "medium" (most likely #3 in hardnesss) plain-jane La Voz reed works great with the previous owner's old mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is unmarked save for an A5* on its base opposite the face in gold lettering. It all seems to be a matter of finding the right reed and strength for a given mouthpiece.
The #3 is just as easy to blow, has better response than any 2 or 2 1/2 I tried and is a lot easier to tongue with a lot less "breathiness." BTW, I have been playing a lot of stuff in the key of C using standard tenor recorder fingerings and after a few weeks am making music again on my Buffet. A few nites ago, I played until 3am, Christmas carols, just because they are great old tunes--very relaxing...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: panda
Date: 2004-02-08 12:20
thank you all for your advice, i am using the buffet b10 mouthpiece that came with the clarinet and will definitely change to a better model (hite premier or fobes debut), i will also invest in a better reed make. I have been phoning around looking for other local clarinettists and have found 2 who are willing to guide me in embouchure technique and suchlike (for a nominal fee as well). so thank you all again for your advice it's much appreciated, panda.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: panda
Date: 2004-02-12 18:31
thank you all again for your advice, straight away i ordered some vandoren size 2 reeds and as soon as i put one on my mpc it felt natural and i felt like i had a wonderful full sound. i am really glad i decided to add the clarinet to my life. here's to many happy years of playing.
panda
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: williamainsworth
Date: 2004-02-12 21:55
If you don't get a teacher because of the cost, I would suggest that you at least talk to a friendly seasoned clarinet player who can show you where to place your fingers going over the break. Most tutorial books do not teach this [I think the authors assume that you will use a teacher along with the book] and it is most important. Other than that I would suggest long tone practice and don't rush the speed when practicing scales and arpeggios.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
