 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: blindpaul
Date: 2005-01-26 22:48
Hi, I just got my first clarinet, assembled it (the reed looks a little rough at the tip), tried to make an emboucher and blew...
Nothing. I was expected an ugly squawking tone or something. Is this normal for a first try? Do I keep trying to make the embouchere and hope I get it right? Or is there something wrong about the clarinet assembly that is blocking the sound?
I know I need a teacher, but I don't have one.
don
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Author: Jimmy Zhong
Date: 2005-01-26 23:00
Blow as hard as you can. If you made an airtight seal with your embochure and your clarinet is in working order it should make a sound of SOME sort of noise.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-01-26 23:14
Don,
Did you wet the reed? It must be moist so it will vibrate.
I do not agree that you need to "blow as hard as you can." Wet the reed, place your upper teeth on the mouthpiece about 1/2 inch in from the tip, roll you lower lip over you botton fron teeth as a cushion for the reed., seal around the rest of the mouthpiece, and blow as though you were gently inflating a balloon. You can try first using the mouthpiece with just the barrel.
HRL
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Author: Jimmy Zhong
Date: 2005-01-26 23:17
He shouldn't blow as hard as he can while he's playing, but it'd be a good way to at least get a noise out. If he's using too strong of a reed he may just need to blow harder.
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Author: blindpaul
Date: 2005-01-26 23:30
Yahoo! Thanks guys... I wet the reed, took loose the mouthpiece and followed your instructions... what an ugly, ugly, loud noise I made! The reason I was getting no sound was that my lower lip was too near the tip of the reed, it was choking off the vibration. Thanks for you time, I would have been stuck without you.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-26 23:32
Jimmy Zhong wrote:
> Blow as hard as you can
Terrible advice.
Ideally, having a teacher help you form a proper embouchure is the correct way to begin.
If that is not feasable right now, you should take Hank's advice on the formation of the embouchure and blow at a moderate, comfortable level.
Overblowing will only cause undue tension in all surrounding facial muscles, puffing of the cheeks, and not foster correct diaphragm usage...GBK
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Author: Jimmy Zhong
Date: 2005-01-26 23:57
I'm sorry if my advice was bad. It seemed like he just wanted to make a sound. My intentions were well
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2005-01-27 00:04
B-Paul:
Do you have at least a beginner - absolute beginner - clarinet instruction book? The first few pages in the ones I have have a few pictures and descriptions of the real basics. Lip, posture, fingering, etc.
Probably not as good as a teacher would be to correct things right from the git-go, but better than zip.
Presumably the teachers on this BBoard can suggest good ones. (I have no idea if mine are "good" or not - no experience.) I'm sure they are available at any music/instrument shop.
But I well remember my first "SQUAAAK". Unforgetable moment.
JDS
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-01-27 11:51
The first horrible noise is something beautiful, to be celebrated!!! That's where we begin.
Most beginning students try too hard. After forming a good embouchure, I tell them to press very lightly on the reed (which has to be a softer one to begin with and then you build on that), and experiment to see how much pressure really is needed. It's too easy to pinch off the reed.
An what you found is true, not taking enough reed in the mouth, would certainly cause you to pinch off the air flow even with very little pressure.
Good stuff! You've begun! Now if you can take a deep breath from below and not raise your shoulders when you breath in...
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-01-27 15:48
I think Brass players learn by blowing hard......and they never stop
Bob Draznik
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-01-27 17:59
Come to think of it, I've met a few 'blowhard' fiddlers in my time
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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The Clarinet Pages
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