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Slowly becoming flatter and flatter while playing

Author: Marnix van den Berg
Date: 2004-12-29 09:36

Hello,

I'm new to this board so let me introduce myself. I'm a 26-year old who, after a study in computer science and a few years of a working normally, decided to go study again, this time the clarinet. I'm currently a student of Frans DeJong, a professor of the clarinet in the Netherlands.

I currently play a Selmer Signature (A=442) with 2 barrels, one of 63mm and one of 65mm. I use a VanDoren 5RV ligature and a VanDoren flexible ligature.

My question is this. Ever since starting to study for the auditions etc and finally being accepted, I've been studying more and more each day. After I was accepted at the college this has only increased. Now for some curious reason my pitch seems to be lower than it was before and I had actually had to switch to my shorter barrel for most times I play in a band or with the piano, etc.. whereas before I nearly always used my longer barrel (which, granted, I didn't have to pull very often).

I was under the assumption that with more study and a more trained embouchure, the pitch usually rises, instead of the other way around! Or could this be a change in my clarinet itself, which is seeing a lot more use than before. My teacher suggested I play softer reeds (before I played Vandoren V12 #4, now #3), in part because articulation was very tiring with very stiff reeds.

My teacher said not to worry about the low pitch for now as we worked on my technique and such, but it is still a little odd.

If anyone has a good explanation or suggestion, please!

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