 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cocojr30
Date: 2005-04-11 23:22
ive been playing clarinet for a few months and i am quite good already, due to the fact that im 1st alto sax in my band. anywayz, how do i get my throat tones to be less airy. they sound horrible! is there a special exercise i can do?
Post Edited (2005-04-11 23:30)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-04-12 00:26
With all throat tone notes a fast air stream is imperative.
You might also try and select a few resonance fingerings.
Most players, after experimentation have found the resonance fingerings which work well for their unique set-up.
Resonance fingerings are the fingerings used to improve the tone and response of the throat tones Ab, A and Bb.
The reason for them is the fact that these notes use so little of the entire clarinet "tube" to sound, that most players find it necessary to close some additional holes or open some additional vent keys to improve their resonance.
The actual resonance fingerings which work for your set up will take a little trial and error, and of course will always be in relation to the other notes of any particular passage as for fingering ease and tonal matching.
Here are a few resonance fingerings - there are others:
Ab: Ab key oox / xoo (or) Ab key oox / xxo C(F)
A: A key oxx / oxx C(F) (or) A key oox / xxo C(F)
Bb: R + A key oox / oox C(F) (or) R + A key oxx / oxx
Try them all and see which work the best on your set up - but use them only when technically possible and tonally matching in the particular passage...GBK
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Author: Clarino20
Date: 2005-04-12 02:01
You can pretend as though you are whistling. Embrochure is slightly different than Saxophone. Also you can think of an ooooo shape inside your mouth. Pretend to spit cherry pits or watermelon seeds this also helps to develop the clarinet embrochure. When you get th ethroat tones to sound good without any resonance fingerings then you can try some with a tuner to see which fingering gives you the most in tune throat tones.
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Author: Pete
Date: 2005-04-12 21:07
Assuming that the clarinet has been looked at and you know there are no pad leaks, check for key opening.
Most student line and many pro clarinets do not have nearly enough clearance between the pads and the tone holes to get the proper tone qualities.
At absolute minimum, you should be able to slide a butter knife (be careful not to tear the delicate pad skin) under the open pads of the upper joint without resistance. And especially check the F# ring pad, the one that is tucked under the G# and A key combination. Although you cannot slip anything under that pad to check its opening, you can see if there is much clearance there.
Any good technician can set these openings for you and check over your instrument to make sure everything is functioning properly.
Welcome to the wonderful world of clarinet playing!
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Author: William
Date: 2005-04-13 14:37
You must "vent" the throat notes to improve their sound--these are the fingerings that I use all the time:
Ab: Ab 00X/X00
A: A 0XX/000 LH B/E
A#: TA 0XX/000 LH B/E
And, often to improve the clarity of "open" G: 000/XX0 (works on my LeBlanc Concertos)
Another "trick" to improve a softly played B4: traditional fingering plus open A key.
Also, to improve that "breathy" alto sax C#5, try 000/XX0. Adding these fingers also improves C5 as well ( 0X0/XX0). Good clar/saxing!!!!!!
Post Edited (2005-04-14 16:48)
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