 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ally
Date: 2004-09-04 19:42
This is the first time I'm posting a msg here..I hope someone can help me.
I'm 17 yrs old and I've been playing the clarinet since I was 6. In the past years I've had some problems with squeaky notes...but recently the problem has really increased. Each time I play the clarinet I'm worried about these squeaky notes and since I've got some solo parts with the local band in the next concert, I'm really worried. Can anyone help me identify why I get these squeaky notes or help me in some way? I'd be very grateful.
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Author: Ally
Date: 2004-09-04 20:13
I'm using an R 13 Buffet Clarinet, B45 Vandoren Mouthpiece, and Vandoren Reeds #3. Could it be I'm using the wrong equipment?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-04 20:38
No doubt, you have a or some leaky, torn? pads, partic. on the upper joint which can be squeek-generators! Look it over carefully, likely take it to a competent cl repairer for a minor amount of service. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-09-04 22:46
Common Causes of Squeaks
a dry reed
accidentally touching a key
the middle joint in a clarinet is not properly aligned
using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
a finger not covering a hole properly
a pad not seating properly
a weak spring not holding a pad closed, opens with breath pressure
keys out of adjustment (e.g., the A key)
unco-ordinated fingering
a leaking joint
a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
too much mouthpiece in the mouth
a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
misapplied lip pressure
a reed is split
the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one side than the other
a poorly designed, worn, or warped mouthpiece (a warped or worn mouthpiece can be refaced)
the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too high
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-09-05 17:13
"the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece"
I'm not sure what this means. Are you supposed to have the top of the reed even with the top of the mouthpiece. I always thought this would make the reed close up. I leave just a little black showing, even a little space below he black of the mouhpiece. What is the correct reed position.
Thanks.
Leonard
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-09-05 17:16
leonardA wrote:
> "the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece"
>
> I'm not sure what this means. Are you supposed to have the top
> of the reed even with the top of the mouthpiece. I always
> thought this would make the reed close up. I leave just a
> little black showing, even a little space below he black of the
> mouhpiece. What is the correct reed position.
The tip of the reed should extend just a sliver past the tip of the mouthpiece when you're adjusting it. There's a curve along the rails, and there needs to be a bit of extra reed since the reed is going to deform along that curve. You want the tip of the reed to match the tip of the moutpiece (or just a smidgen below the tip of the mouthpiece) when it's bent along that curve.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-09-08 04:49
Thanks, Mark. I've been doing it wrong for a year and a half. Putting the reed in the position you suggested made it much more playable and eliminated a lot of squeaks. Talk about timing--I start rehearsals tomorrow with the orchestra for a musical and I'm a lot more confident now about my exposed sections. Works great with the sax too.
Leonard
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-09-08 06:35
Ally,
Maybe you're using to much of your mouthpiece...I've had the same problem and it can lead to squeaky notes.
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