 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Betty
Date: 2004-05-04 15:39
Ok, do you think that it is a matter of embouchure, mouthpiece, reed thickness, experience or just good luck? (OR a combination of all the above?)
I have a problem reaching past that High D unless its coming up from the lower register to the higher one. It is impossible for me to start out from a High C and work on up.
any suggestions? I can practice till I am BLUE in the face and not make any progress with this.
*** (Curses on composers who start their pieces in the higher range!)***
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-05-04 16:19
Hi Betty:
I think you pretty well covered the issues...lol!
I'm assuming you mean the D 2-1/2 ledger lines above the staff, in which case I find that particular note non-problematic on my clarinet as opposed to the E. In fact I can play G6 or G7 or C7 more easily than an E.
A fairly easy note for me to get a feel for playing altissimo was the F using the long fingering, which is x23C#| 123. This note fingering seems to sound fairly easily.
If there is a trick it is that you must use a good velocity of air on the start or attack, depending on the terminology. The degree of embouchure depends on reed and mouthpiece, so you just have to experiment, but I think most folks tighten up a bit.
You didn't mention your set up but reed strength can certainly be an issue. If the reed is soft, you can close off the reed and not get a thing out of it. I have that problem if I play anything much softer than a 3.25-3.5 thick blank reed, but it also depends on your MP.
Try increasing your breath velocity and see what happens. Be prepared for some nasty sounds until you get the hang of it. Plus since you are moving from clarion to altissimo and the difference in fingering could be an issue. It takes a bit of practice to move smoothly from C-D, but you can cheat by playing an open D which is done just by removing your thumb.
I think you'll find that you won't hate composers quite as much once you're comfortable playing up in the altissimo, in fact it is pretty fun and a whole lot of clarinet parts live in the altissimo. That said though, I think some composers write for folks with 12 fingers!! What I despise are composers who write altissiimo in pp!
Good luck and let me know how this works.
RW
Best
Rick
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RussM
Date: 2004-05-04 18:13
I am an amateur clarinetist, and my knowledge cannot compare to the majority of members of this forum, but I will offer an opinion on this subject as it was a big stumblling block for me. Facility in the altissimo resister is a matter of feel, and the emphasis should be on air flow. For a long time I was under the mistaken impression that it required fully developed lip muscles. I finally discovered that it is just a matter of getting the feel for the airflow/pressure levels that are required. It is similiar to adjusting to the shift between the chalumeau and clarion resisters. It does not require an iron jaw.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-05-05 14:44
Betty:
It just occured to me looking at my post that I failed to mention that on the long F fingering you need the register and thumb as well. I tend not to even think about that so I hope it didn't cause you any frustration.
RW
Best
Rick
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-05-05 16:10
You mentioned practicing until you're blue in the face. If that's happening, you're going about it completely the wrong way.
The D, for example, is fingered the same as the F below it, just without your left index finger. Play it like an F. Play the E as if it were a G. Etc. Just because a note has a "higher" pitch, and is drawn physically higher on the page, doesn't mean it's "higher" up on the clarinet. Play it downward just like any other note.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: poopsie
Date: 2004-05-06 04:24
Sometimes the problem is just that you are pushing too hard on the reed and the air can't get through to vibrate the reed. Try relaxing your chin and blow. Some reeds just won't play the high notes no matter how hard or soft you play them and that is the nature of the reed.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davor
Date: 2004-05-11 23:29
Some of the advices are good, very good indeed, but nobody mentioned that playing is just another kind of singing. So, try to sing the notes, or intervals you can not play. I will not tell you why. Try it! After you sing try to play them. Very often beginners try to play high register with too soft reed. Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2004-05-12 01:42
"Ok, do you think that it is a matter of embouchure, mouthpiece, reed thickness, experience or just good luck? (OR a combination of all the above?)" from original post...
I would eliminate luck and add tongue position, as well as experience (twice over) and knowing (as brass players know) what note you wish to play BEFORE you play it. (that's really experience plus anticipatory imagination combined).
I very easily "overblow" (which is a misnomer) altissimo E to altissimo A.
My favorite altissimo F# fingering is the same as clarion Bb.
And with the exception of altissimo Bb (the hardest note for me), B, and C...I don't feel the need to exert OR experience any more tension or strenght than normal.
Tobin
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2004-05-12 02:03
Search by ' half tone hole technique' in this BBS or Klarinet mailing list,
which means the 1st finger slide to make the hole half open.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2004-05-12 02:10
Sorry, the 1st finger(pointing finger) of the 'left hand'.
This is usually used by professionals but not indicated in ordinary fingering
charts. There is another fingering not indicated there. Open left hand pinky key for altissimos.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Karel
Date: 2004-05-12 03:47
Thanks Hiroshi, I also find the "half finger" helpful. The other thing that helps me is silently "singing" the note I am trying to play.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Amy
Date: 2004-05-12 17:23
My teacher has told me to tongue harder when playing altissimo notes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2004-05-12 19:07
a strong diafragm support is very important, for all notes emission, specially for high register.
Slow excercises on the high register help a lot.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Neil
Date: 2004-05-12 22:44
Try checking your instrument for leaks. It doesn't take a very big one to wreak havoc with the high notes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
