 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: sanya
Date: 2005-01-09 23:03
I've been playing the clarinet for around... six years, and I like to believe that I am moderately "good" at it. This year, in music class, I have to play two pieces in a recital in front of a broad audience as my final exam. One of the pieces I have to play is vivace, and is full of staccato notes. These staccatos are not clean, and it is driving me absolutely notes. I have tried to adjust my embouchure, but nothing seems to work. My second piece is slow and melodious, but, again, my notes come out air-y. Any advice? Both pieces are also very hard on my breathing, but I guess I just need to learn to have resistance for that. It's times like these I wish I knew circular breathing, damn.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-09 23:10
sanya wrote:
> staccatos are not clean,
> my notes come out air-y.
> Both pieces are also very
> hard on my breathing
I'll bet anything that your reed strength is incorrect for your mouthpiece.
Try dropping down 1/4 to 1/2 strength, or adjust/modify your reeds differently...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-09 23:24
lol. GBK beat me to it! DARN YOUR 24/7 monitoring of this site!
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sanya
Date: 2005-01-09 23:31
I will definitely talk to my teacher about that; it's kind of funny, though, because she recently told me to move the strength of my reed up. Can you tell me if, by any chance, the brand of reed makes a difference? My mom bought Rico Royal one day by mistake, but I ended up using them anyway. They seemed harder to break into at first, but now I'm fine with them.
Post Edited (2005-01-09 23:32)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-09 23:41
Different brands and different models of reeds DO make a difference. Sometimes slight, sometimes more. The best advice I can give is to learn the basics of adjusting reeds (do a search here, it may seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, adjusting reeds comes quickly and benefits you very much!), and pick a reputable brand.
For reputable brands, do a quick search. There are TONS too many to try out (especially at 20 dollars a box), but just pick one that works and work with it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sanya
Date: 2005-01-09 23:44
Thank you SO much. I actually considered adjusting a reed once but I got scared I'd do it wrong. ;x
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-10 00:13
sanya wrote:
> Thank you SO much. I actually considered adjusting a reed once
> but I got scared I'd do it wrong. ;x
There are systems out there that make it very easy to learn with very little chance of error (I use the ATG system).
And when it comes down to it, if you DO mess up a reed, that's two lost dollars. Not that much when it comes down to it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2005-01-10 00:55
Not to insult your intelligence, but are you doing the staccato correctly? I've met a lot of people who have been playing for many years who still "puff" their staccato instead of using a tongue-return technique... This will result in staccato that is difficult to control and unfocused... Just a thought...
It's also possible that you are doing a good tongue technique, but there isn't enough air behind it. Slow or unfocused air could account for sloppy staccato as well as poor tone on the slower piece as well. The reed suggestion is a good thing to look into, but it's also important explore the extent to which the problems could be caused by your own playing habits. I spent a long time avoiding technical issues in my playing by trying every mouthpiece, ligature, and reed brand out there rather than addressing fundamental flaws in my technique, and for me, it's always been changes in my playing, not my equipment, that have made the most improvements. Of course, the reeds could be the problem, but (in my opinion) it's good to explore other causes before automatically blaming the equipment.
Good Luck,
Donald Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sanya
Date: 2005-01-10 01:39
You know what, I don't doubt for even a second that I'm doing something wrong. I am playing the staccatos correctly for sure, but my air control and tone are both probably somewhat off. It's just that my recital is on the Friday coming up, so I'm trying to do what I can until then as I have very little time. Any suggestions on how to fix the unfocused air?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LeWhite
Date: 2005-01-10 03:36
Your tongue should be in a high position in the back (Think French syllables E or EU) and practice long tones daily, for the first 10 minutes (MINIMUM), focussing on this.
Then, use your tongue to stop the note; place it against the tip of the reed, enough to shut it off and stop the sound, but keep the air flowing. You might get some out of the corner of your lips, but that's OK in this exercise. Then, while keeping the air going, take your tongue off the reed and the note starts again. Work up the speed of this and you can form a very solid technique for tongueing in future.
Best of luck!
__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif) Buffet
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-01-10 19:35
sanya -
One of the first things to check is whether the reed is sealing on the mouthpiece. Any leak can increase resistance and put "air" in the tone. Take the reed off and run your finger along the bottom. If you feel a little ridge where the reed meets the window of the mouthpiece, the bottom needs to be sanded flat. (Use 600 grit wet-or-dry, black grit sandpaper, available inexpensively at any hardware store. Put it on a level surface, preferably glass, put your fingers only on the bark of the reed and sand it 10 or 12 strokes. Look to see whether the entire area is shiny, and keep sanding until it is.) It may also help to shave off a thin slice from the bottom of the reed at the bottom 1/8" at the butt.
Then put the reed back on, tighten the ligature all the way snug, and then back off the screws 1/4 turn.
If your tone is air-y and the instrument is hard to play, and a new reed doesn't help, check the instrument for leaks.
If your air control is "off," then you're definitely not doing the staccato right. The air pressure must be steady as a rock before you can work on your staccato. See today's string on Fixing My Articulation, where there are several exercises, including one I discovered recently that covers exactly this topic.
On reeds, after 6 years, you've played enough to trust yourself. Use the reed strength that plays best, regardless of the number stamped on it. Also, it's time to learn at least a little about adjusting reeds. You'll certainly ruin a few, but you'll end up a lot more confident and comfortable. Ask your teacher for help getting started.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Meri
Date: 2005-01-10 19:43
Sanya: Are you taking private lessons? If not, I would also consider taking at least a few...
Meri
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
