 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sheila-music_lover
Date: 2004-08-18 00:00
I'm a beginner and have been having some trouble reaching the high notes. I got a lower value reed, (I'd been using a 2, now a 1 1/2) and that got me a few notes higher, but does anyone have tips on getting to the higher notes? (other than a lower value reed) Thanks so much,
Sheila
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-08-18 00:28
Sheila,
A stiffer reed
Is what you need
If higher notes will not comply
More air support you must supply
Hans
P.S. - The above assumes that the instrument is in good working order. If you'll send me your email address I'll send you some more tips that might help.
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Author: Kevin
Date: 2004-08-18 00:45
Higher numbered reeds would usually make it easier to produce the higher tones than lower numbers, not the other way around as you have stated.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-08-18 00:48
You said "HIGH" in all caps. If you think of them as high, you're likely pinching more than necessary, "trying to hard" if you will. After getting a stiffer reed, try thinking of the high notes as "notes which happen to be of higher pitch but are played with regular air and fingers like any other note" and you should have significantly more luck.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-08-18 04:01
When I first started I just repeated making the transition from A to B... Repitition and fast air will get you there... HAHA! That rhymed... and then once you get B then you go to C and it becomes easier and easier... woohoo... But the lowest strength reed I've ever played on is a 2... Try a two, it might work... But just keep trying, and you'll get it eventually... That's the way I did it... Good luck!
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Author: idahofats
Date: 2004-08-18 13:27
Sheila:
Another consideration in reaching high notes is whether your mouthpiece matches your instrument and physical makeup. For instance, whether your clarinet is small or large bore, and whether you have a perfect bite, large overbite, etc. You might search the Archives for more specifics, but consider testing a variety of mpcs of varying openness (lay) with a little stiffer reed. As others have said, if you are struggling to reach the notes above high C, then the problem won't necessarily be solvable just by biting harder or blowing more air. An appropriate mpc will allow you to use a harder reed as you progress, which will help make the high notes effortless without sacrificing tone quality on the low notes. I began lessons using a Selmer HS*, a good mpc for some, but found much greater control as I went in the direction of more openness.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-08-18 13:38
If to the stratosphere you reach
Then once more, into the breach (dear friends)
We must not lament
The core content
For it is (after all) a WIND instrument...
Ya gotsta blow, girlie - BLOW!
There's a simple drill to help focus the airstream - get out a straw and blowing through it, attempt to turn the pages of a newspaper.
That same sort of tight outlet for your breath is needed in higher notes.
It may help to visualize blowing the air through the bell...
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Author: Sheila-music_lover
Date: 2004-08-18 16:11
Ok, well, I did get some WAAAAAAYY higher notes with the 1 1/2 reed than with the 2, so I had some good luck there, but there are still a few..., andyway, I think I can get it now. Thanks so much for your help,
Sheila
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-08-24 17:00
You probably had a bad #2 reed and an ok #1 1/2 reed.
A bad reed won't help you much at all and they do vary quite a bit.
Try using a quality reed (Mitchell Lurie #2) instead of the Rico standard reed as they are much better and will give you an improved sound and response.
Take more mouthpiece especially on the bottom where your lip hits the reed. Many students I find are playing too close to the tip and it closes off when they try to play high notes above A 1st leger line (and can never get the 2 leger line C starting from it). A stronger reed combined with the proper amount of reed on the lip makes it much easier.
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