 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: xuess
Date: 2004-08-30 01:03
I just bought a new clarinet, and I've never played a reed instrument before - I've been told that I need to curl my lower lip over my bottom teeth, and have my top teeth on the top of the mouthpiece to play. I've tried this extenuously, but I can't make any sort of sound come out of my instrument.
What do you suppose I'm doing wrong?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-08-30 01:09
1) What strength is the reed (there should be a number written on the flat side of the reed)? Most beginners start on a 2.5 or 3. If the reed is extremely hard (a 4 or 4.5 will probably be too hard... a 3.5 may work, but will probably be a little too hard. It's a personal issue), you may not get much of a sound.
2) Is the reed put on correctly? The top of the reed should be lined up with the top of the mouthpiece. If the reed is too high or too low, no sound will come out.
3) Is your embouchure (shape of your mouth) too tight or loose? If you are biting down or pressing on the reed too hard you won't get a sound. Similarly, if you are applying hardly any pressure, then you wouldn't make much sound.
Just a couple basic things to check...
DH
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: xuess
Date: 2004-08-30 01:15
2. The reed seems to be in the right spot.
3. I'm trying variations of pressure and whatnot to try to find the right one, but nothing's really helping
1. There's no number on it - I'm just using the reed that came with it. Maybe it's just a wonky one or something?
Edit: It squeaked! There's something, at least.
Post Edited (2004-08-30 01:16)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kenbear
Date: 2004-08-30 01:22
"What do you suppose I'm doing wrong?"
Is it you? Is it the instrument? Is it the mouthpiece? Is it the reed?
If possible get yourself a teacher; not having one is probably the biggest thing you're doing wrong at the moment.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: xuess
Date: 2004-08-30 01:24
"If possible get yourself a teacher; not having one is probably the biggest thing you're doing wrong at the moment."
Not possible, unfortunately. At least for a few months.
I figure as soon as I get basic technique down I'll be able to teach myself - I play several instruments already.
Just none of them reed-bearing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Marcowelby
Date: 2004-08-30 01:35
I suggest:
Make sure the reed is really soft to start with 1.5 or a 2, just to be able to make a sound (you do not need to buy a box but just 1 or 2 reeds.)
Have you tried getting a sound with the reed and mouthpiece alone ( without the clarinet)
Once you get a sound with the mouthpiece ( and reed!) you can hook the clarinet and start to get some sound out of it.
Then you can slowly increase the rigidity of the reed
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-08-30 02:16
Hi,
This may seem pretty basic but did you moisten the reed before you put it on the mouthpiece? If not, just put it in your mouth for a minute or two; the reed must be moistened to play correctly. Then carefully place it on the mouthpiece as outlined above and form the embouchure as you indicated in the first message.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: lllebret
Date: 2004-08-30 03:51
In my opinion, the starting out period is the MOST imprtant time to have instruction as it is awfully difficult to change bad habits once they are established. Perhaps you can take one or two lessons with someone to get you on the right track- I promise you it will be money and time well spent.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-08-30 04:00
I remember when I couldn't make a sound... it was so frustrating... But have no fear, because it took me like 2 hours to get a sound out!!! I was playing on a size three reed for one, and that was hard for me... As suggested above get a reed of softer strength... For now, do what you can to get a sound to come out... Then, once you can get a sound to come out try to adjust to the correct embouchere (way your mouth is shaped while playing) while also making a sound... That's what I did and it worked for me... I ended up getting a teacher after about a month and a half of playing... I would suggest getting one, because it will help you improve greatly... Anyways, blow hard and keep trying...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-08-30 04:04
I agree. It is certainly possible to teach yourself, but there is a lot of stuff that you probably won't just "figure out" on your own and technique books tend to offer little instruction.. they just provide exercises.
I can play clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, and piano. I just started learning violin a few months ago and figured that I could teach myself for a while before I started lessons in the fall. Well, I had my first lesson last Thursday and (big surprise), I taught myself some of the basics incorrectly. Despite the fact that I could play my scales and a few pieces from an etude book, we spent the entire lesson on how to hold the bow. I guess the point of this is that just because you've played another instrument (or even several in my case) doesn't mean that you can necessarily teach yourself to play any other instrument properly. Especially since you have not played a reed instrument before, there are probably very basic issues such as embouchure, articulation, etc that you are not aware of that will haunt you if they are not learned correctly (even if you have played a non-reed wind instrument like flute or brass in which you have encountered articulation and embouchure before, they will be very different on clarinet). This isn't to say that you can't make progress without a teacher, but I agree with the above poster. It may be helpful to get a lesson or two (or even just some assistance from someone who plays clarinet) to make sure you are getting started in the right direction. Also, if you continue to have problems making a sound, a person familiar with clarinets may be able to assess your instrument and other equipment in case there is a problem (I've played clarinet for many years, and I've encountered a few stock mouthpieces that I could barely make a sound on, so the problem may not be just you!). Knowing the problem, whether it is you or a faulty piece of equipment, is the first step to correcting it. Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bani
Date: 2004-08-30 04:36
I remember when I couldn't make a sound either no matter how much effort I put into it. My teacher taught me two things:
1. Smile when blowing into the mouthpiece
2. RELAX when you do. This can be a bit tricky since you have to learn to relax while blowing hard at the same time.
Try these. It worked for me.
Thanks and God bless!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-08-30 04:58
xuess, you are the owner of a new Clarinet. I wonder if anyone else has produced a sound through it. Maybe it is defective, y'know? These things happen even with high-grade new Clarinets, as you'll see by reading the Bulletin Board.
It would be nice to hear someone else play on it, just to be sure your instrument is in good working order.
If you are really trying to teach yourself, the least you can do is get Dr. David Pino's book: _The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing_. It can be bought from Van Cott Information Services, a Bulletin Board sponsor.
Regards,
John
Post Edited (2004-08-30 05:02)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-08-30 13:28
-----------------------------
1) What strength is the reed (there should be a number written on the flat side of the reed)? Most beginners start on a 2.5 or 3. If the reed is extremely hard (a 4 or 4.5 will probably be too hard... a 3.5 may work, but will probably be a little too hard. It's a personal issue), you may not get much of a sound.
--------------------------------
No, beginners almost always start with a #2 reed!!!!!
His problem probably is that he isn't blowing the air fast enough (if the reed is the proper strength) and isn't tightening his lips enough.
Blow the air like you are trying to start a fire and are giving it air. Also make sure that you are taking enough mouthpiece on your lower lip.
What's enough??
When you squeak because you are taking too much mouthpiece in your mouth and go upwards until you aren't squeaking anymore that will probably be the right spot. It's aprox 1/2 way down the curved part of the reed (called the vamp) where the reed intersects with the mouthpiece (look sideways at the mouthpiece/reed in the light and you will see that the reed comes into contact with the mouthpiece at a point - put your bottom lip there.
Try getting a sound with only the mouthpiece and barrel (the stubby part with no keys) - if you can't get anything on that than you need to keep trying ONLY on those parts. Just the mouthpiece is not advisable as it's much harder to get a sound on by it's self.
The sound on the barrel should be a G# (sounds like an f# on the piano)
When you get to the point that you want to play along with a CD recording (or any other digital music file) check out my page at www.mytempo.com as it's for students and players who want to play along with a recording at their own tempo.
Post Edited (2004-08-30 16:16)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-08-30 14:40
If the air is just mostly whooshing through the instrument and the reed is not vibrating, keep in mind there needs to be some pressure from the lower lip on the reed to make it vibrate against the mouthpiece. Stretch the chin so the lower lip pushes into the reed slightly, and check the angle of the instrument. The instrument is meant to come up to the mouth at an angle, and when it does the reed is also snugged against the lower lip a little more.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-30 15:20
OOps...forgot to take the swab out of the lower joint!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: johnsonfromwisconsin
Date: 2004-08-30 15:38
If this is the reed that came with the outfit, It's probably not going to be much help to you. I'd get a name-brand reed (a couple actually) from Rico or Vandoren.
-JfW
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sheila-music_lover
Date: 2004-08-30 23:14
tighten your mouth/lips
blow harder
um, don't get frustrated. That one always gets me!
Can't thnk of much else, I'm basically a beginner myself!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Squeeky
Date: 2004-08-31 22:29
Hi, I only started playing clarinet 3 weeks ago. Like you I don't have access to a teacher. Before I started I downloaded masses of information about reeds and mouthpieces. I started off with a buffet mouthpiece and
Vandoran 2.0 reeds. I soaked each reed in a cup of water for about 5 minutes before using it. I found it almost impossible to get a sound other than a screech coming out of the end. After a few tries I got one single note 'c' joy oh joy. With determination and practice for about 5 minutes at a time more notes followed, not all sounding great but still notes. I then saw a Vandoran 11.6 mouthpîece in a second hand shop for 10 euros, thats about 12 dollars I think. It played much easier than the Buffet mouthpiece and now I can play a few practice pieces that sound like tunes.
I think what all the other replies said are correct. It could be your mouthpiece, your reed, your clarinet or most probably (as in my case) you.
Keep trying it's the most satisfying thing I've done in a long time.
Post Edited (2004-08-31 22:32)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-08-31 23:43
The better Vandoren Mouthpiece was a lot more closed faced than the buffet (junk) mouthpiece which came with your Clarinet.
What that means is that your reed will feel a LOT softer with the Vandoren than the Buffet hence you can now get a sound.
Lots of Vandoren reeds aren't very playable without balancing the reed. You should try a student brand which will more likely play easily right out of the box.
In Europe I'm not sure of the brands which are easily availiable, but it's worth the look for the ease of play that a more playable reed affords.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bluevenus1015
Date: 2012-12-11 00:52
i'm not exactly a professional, but maybe you don't cover the holes on the clarinet right. you have to cover the holes fully. My source, i have a music teacher.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2012-12-11 01:20
This thread dates back to 2004. I suspect the OP has either solved his/her problem or given up by now.
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
