 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Asheeka
Date: 2005-07-13 18:34
hey, I have been playing clarinet for one year, and I am having a lot of trouble geeting a good tone on high notes. When I play my high notes, it takes a second to go from one note another instead of flowing smoothly. My teacher said that my tounge is hitting to low on the reed, but I can't seem to get it to hit any higher. If anyone has any suggestions that may help me please reply, I need help! Thanks in advance!
~Asheeka~
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Author: Ben Redwine
Date: 2005-07-13 19:37
Hello Asheeka,
Long distance teaching is difficult. Obviously, your teacher is in the best position to correct your problems, but maybe more air?...faster air?... harder reed? Perhaps you can try some of those out in your practice and report back. Good luck.
Ben Redwine
RedwineJazz, LLC
410 798-8251
clarinet@redwinejazz.com
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-07-13 22:04
Asheeka,
Has your teacher, or another experienced player, played your clarinet to make sure that the instrument is not the cause of the problem?
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Asheeka
Date: 2005-07-13 23:26
hey, actually, i don't do long distance classes, my teacher just says that the only way i can fix this problem is by tounging differently. I am trying some harder reeds right now, maybe that will help. And also, yes my teacher has played my clarinet, and nothing is wrong with the instrument. Thanks for your help, but if anyone has any other suggestions please do reply!
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2005-07-14 02:05
Asheeka:
Try placing your tongue on the reed where your teacher says it should go, then without moving your tongue put the mouthpiece in your mouth and strike your tongue on the reed to initiate the sound. Then after initating the sound, have your tongue contact the reed, instantly stopping the sound and without moving your tongue, look in the mirror and see if it stayed in the same place. Start on something comfortable,, like an open G. Then after successfully doing open G in the manner described above, gradually move up. This will take work, so be diligent!!! Hope this Helps!!!
P.S.Ben Redwine meant teaching you over the internet, not long distance learning concerning you and your private instructor.
Post Edited (2005-07-14 02:08)
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-07-14 02:51
Asheeka,
What happens if you play high notes without tonguing; do you still experience the delay you described? And exactly which high notes are giving you trouble?
With respect to getting a "good tone", here are some typical causes of poor tone quality for you to consider:
lack of breath support
lack of lip support
tonguing the wrong place on the reed
tonguing too hard
moving the lower jaw while tonguing
too much mouthpiece in the mouth so that the reed can not be controlled
the chin being puckered up instead of pointed
the clarinet held too far out from the body or too near
too little mouthpiece in the mouth
the reed is too stiff - results in a "stuffy" tone
the reed is too soft - it will choke before enough air support can be applied
a poor combination of mouthpiece and reed
an instrument which is poorly designed or in poor condition; e.g., skin of a pad is loose and vibrates, weak springs.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Asheeka
Date: 2005-07-14 03:53
hey,
Hans, This problem only occurs when I am tounging, but not when i am slurring the notes. It happens from notes high G up! I have tried to get my tounge to hit higher on the reed, but for some reason my tounge just won't go any higher. I will try your other tips! Thanks, and keep in touch!
Asheeka
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Author: Robyn
Date: 2005-07-14 04:56
Try tonguing on just one high note first. Pick one of the notes that you are more comfortable with and first play a long tone on that note. Hold it out for several beats, and when you are ready, lightly tap your tongue on the reed. See how little you can touch the reed and still get an interruption in the sound. It's even okay if you miss the reed (that is, you don't go far enough with your tongue) when you are trying this. The idea is to touch it as lightly as possible. Once you are comfortable tonguing on the same note, then try tonguing between notes.
Also make sure you don't interrupt your air when you tongue. Blow just as steadily as if you were playing a whole note.
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Author: Asheeka
Date: 2005-07-14 15:36
ok, i will try that today and see what happens! thanks. keep helping!!!!!!
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Author: Asheeka
Date: 2005-07-14 20:53
hey robyn,
I tried your tip today and it kind of worked a little bit, i'll keep working on it! Thank you so much!
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Author: Asheeka
Date: 2005-07-15 15:57
thanks everyone, my tounging has improved, but i still need to work on it!
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