 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-05-28 01:59
Just wondering if there is any way to change the resistance you feel when playing the clarinet...
The reason I ask is that my Bb and A feel different. I need slightly softer reeds on my A. It's not a horrible problem, but if the Bb feels good, the A feels a little stuffy. If the A feels good, the Bb feels a little too soft. I can adjust for the difference, but it would be easier if they were more perfectly matched.
Could a different barrel or something affect the resistance of one of my instruments?
THANKS
DH
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-05-28 02:13
Different barrels can help. First make sure that your horn seals really well, no leaks. In addition to barrels, one of the other relatively minor changes some people try is to change the register tube. Start by trying some barrels and see if that helps.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-05-28 07:49
The A probably feels stuffier because of the extra length. Your airflow is more than likely focussed to the Bb length which is to be expected if that is what you play most often. You really need to learn to play the A clarinet, it is a different beast altogether. This has been my experience playing, teaching and repairing. I have never found an A clarinet that I am comfortable on.
Why do people rush immediately to a gear or set up change when a problem arises?
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Author: RAMman
Date: 2004-05-28 11:47
I usually look out slightly softer reeds for extended periods of playing my A.
Mark, I totally agree....the time spent in the music shop should be spent in the practice room.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-05-28 11:55
Many A clarinets are stuffy sounding (= 'resistant'?) because of poor venting, and leaks. They tend to get a lot less attention for good set up during their lives than Bb clareinets.
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-05-28 13:11
DH,
You may find sfalexi's recent comments on this topic helpful. Through experimentation with mouthpieces and barrels he has found a combination that gave a great improvement to his instrument's resistance and responsiveness. Some investment in time and patience will be required.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-05-28 16:42
Clarinet resistance is what the parents of my beginners experience when they tell their kids to practice...GBK
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Author: davor
Date: 2004-05-28 22:35
Hi,
What you feel is totally normal. Are you using the same brand of clarinets?
If not, your mouthpiece cork might not be tight enough, and you could be loosing a bit of the pressure there.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-05-28 23:06
Resistance is a fairly healthy thing provided it does not go too far. \
The more you practice generally this becomes less of a problem.
I use #4 reeds with no problems whatsoever, but as of late I have been playing alot.
If a reed is too hard it simply will be impossible to get a clear sound on any of the chalumeau notes....
as usual check the Opperman books on reed adjustment. Or consult a teacher...
David Dow
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-05-28 23:39
My Bb is an R-13 and my A is an RC Prestige, and there doesn't seem to be any problems with corks fitting... My teacher told me the resistance difference is normal, but it had been really bothering me (likely compounded by the fact that I hadn't been able to find a worthwhile reed in about a month!).
However, today I received a sample box of Gonzalez FOF reeds, with strengths 4, 4.25, and 4.5... So far I have only tried the 4, which is a tiny bit too soft for the Bb and just right on the A (though I could go harder and still make a good sound)
I can get a clear sound on both A and Bb clarinet w/ the GOG reeds and the softness on Bb isn't enough to be a huge problem. Having better reeds really makes a difference! My guess is the 4.25 will probably be the perfect strength. It's almost sad how much reed trouble I was having... I was almost afraid to open the Gonzalez reeds and try a few because, if they were bad too, I didn't know where else to turn (I play flute as well, and while I love clarinet much more, sometimes I think it would be so much easier to just play a non-reeded instrument!). It looks like I lucked out though with the FOFs, so I won't be tossing clarinet aside just yet.
I've only had the A for a few months, and I'm still getting used to it. I try to alternate and do my technique practice on A and Bb every other day, which seems to be helping. I think I may look into different barrels, but during the summer I don't have any serious playing to do, so for now I'll just keep practicing and hope for the best!
DH
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-29 00:56
Quote:
I've only had the A for a few months, and I'm still getting used to it. I try to alternate and do my technique practice on A and Bb every other day, which seems to be helping. I think I may look into different barrels, but during the summer I don't have any serious playing to do, so for now I'll just keep practicing and hope for the best! I'm sure you'll eventually get so suited to the difference between the A and Bb that you will naturally adjust to whichever you are playing and won't give a second thought to it. Much like how when a person puts a sax up to their lips, all of a sudden the slightly different fingers are THERE without even having to think about it.
Also, what I heard another board member do, which seems to make sense, is instead of practicing every other day and switching clarinets, play each clarinet EVERY day, but half on one, half on the other (I can't remember the actual poster, but they said that they do their warmup and scales on the A clarinet, then practice any pieces or etudes on the Bb. Or I'm sure you can switch it up.) I've heard it's good to play the clarinet every day (even if only for twenty minutes).
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-05-29 01:10
sfalexi wrote:
> Also, what I heard another board member do, which seems to make
> sense, is instead of practicing every other day and switching
> clarinets, play each clarinet EVERY day, but half on one, half
> on the other
An alternative (which I use) is to practice ONLY on the A clarinet. (Since I do not have perfect pitch, it does not bother me to play pieces a half step lower than they would normally sound.)
The Bb clarinet, over time, then becomes (in my experience) more centered, focused and resonant. Technical passages seem easier to manuever.
Then again, it could all just be my imagination...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-29 01:30
However GBK,
You perform and/or rehearse with other members regularly, do you not? So you are still giving your Bb clarinet a workout on a regular basis. People like me (and maybe DH is in a similar situation during this summer) don't have performances. Which means that if I DID have an A clarinet, and practiced ONLY on it, that would be three months of the Bb sitting in it's case.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-05-29 01:30)
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Author: peking moon
Date: 2004-05-29 21:16
I'm with GBK - I practice all my technique on the A...which in turn makes the Bb feel like a recorder when you blow through it.
For students and serious clarinetists who would generally use both instruments on a consistant basis, this is one of the easiest way to deal with the difference in resistance. When you are performing in Orchestra and must switch back and forth between the two...you can't be fussing with reeds and mouthpieces...and the dangers of having two setups- one reed drying out...perhaps some can do it, but it seems impractical for me.
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