 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ah Clem
Date: 2005-10-06 17:21
Things are moving along.
The Selmer-Bundy is working out very well, and now when I practice the cat will often sit next to me, as opposed to getting as far away from me as possible.
I can still tell when I hit a sour note though, as her ears twitch and she looks dismaid.
(everybody is a critic!)
I am pursuing "crossing the break", which seems to run the gamut from being fairly easy to almost insurmountable, depending on the day of the week, phases of the moon, planetary alignment, etc.
At any rate, this is still a very enjoyable experience and I am learning from all of you every day.
Ah Clem
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-10-06 20:28
You have an impressive cat! My cats will not abide being anywhere within earshot of a clarinet. Of course, they don't have much choice! They do, however, get as far away in the house as possible...
I once put on a cd of someone else playing (Sharon Kam??) and they ran so fast I thought they'd go through the walls!
Congrats on your progress!!
Katrina
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Author: redwine
Date: 2005-10-06 21:10
Hello,
Please take this advice with a grain of salt, as I do not enjoy teaching, nor have I taught for about 7 years now. However, I found that when I did teach, if students would approach the break from above and go down, it was much easier than the opposite. Even if your etude goes from down to up, try it backwards several times (20 or 30), then try it the right way. Inevitably, it works. I think it has something to do with getting the "feel" in your embouchure and translating it to going "up" over the break.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-10-06 21:36
And anticipate the break when going across by having your right hand fingers already on the note you're going across to, and this will add resonance to the throat notes as well.
But maybe this is info is akin to running before you can walk at this moment in time, but it will become natural.
Not clarinet, but the Selmer SA80 Series III alto sax has an open C# correction vent, so it means C# HAS to be played as a completely open note which makes going across the break a pain!
I usually play C#-D as (C# is) 8ve, oox|xxx (and D is) 8ve, xxx|xxx - so it's only fingers 1 and 2 that move.
And similar with C#-D#, C#-E, etc., the relevant RH fingers and LH 3+8ve key being held down to make the break smoother than having all fingers off for C# and then putting all fingers on for the next note.
But on the Series III, the C# is made FLATTER with the octave key and LH finger 3, plus RH 4-6 put down in anticipation as the vent key closes with the octave key.
And they're way too over engineered these Series IIIs as well! There's too many extra things in the mechanism to potentially go wrong.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-10-07 05:17
From your posts, Clem, it looks (to me) like you're doing very well. On an average, you're progress is picking up momentum. Your postings are an inspitation to many of us who need a little encouragement now and then to hang in there. We all need to remember that when the enjoyment begins to outweigh the struggle we're on our way to a good time 
Are you able to get together with other players?
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Ah Clem
Date: 2005-10-07 05:31
Ben,
I agree with what you said about crossing the break coming down. That is much easier (less difficult). Going up is often a challenge, especially going from "A" at the top of the lower register to "B" at the bottom of the upper register. I will try your advice tomorrow.
I scoured this forum for tips about crossing the break and that has helped greatly. I am practising several hours a day during the week (sometimes up to 5 hours-my lower lip gets pretty numb, then sore when the numbness goes away). I have determined that I have absolutely no talent, so I am going to have to try to make up for it with practice.
The hardest thing that I did before this was R/C helicopters-this is much harder, but much cheaper (the clarinet rarely crashes into the ground at 70+ miles an hour...).
Ron,
No, I have had no contact with other players. This is strictly a solo deal at the moment. I am still attempting to go it alone for the time being.
Thank you all again!
Ah Clem
Post Edited (2005-10-07 05:35)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-10-07 06:01
Clem,
If you're shooting for multiple hours a day (I don't know what your schedule is), but I find it better to break up the hours. An hour and a half here, an hour here, maybe another hour later, etc. I find I can accomplish more that way and I seem to retain things a little better.
Once again, I don't know your schedule, or even if you're breaking it up to begin with, but it sure seems to help me from getting worn out and from getting to that point where my fingers just flop around uselessly.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-10-07 15:23
Ah Clem wrote: >I am pursuing "crossing the break", which seems to run the gamut from being fairly easy to almost insurmountable, depending on the day of the week, phases of the moon, planetary alignment, etc.<
Aha, you have noticed this too about planetary alignment. According to my calculations I will have one day every 216 years when I play like Paquito. But, when I calculated how far into the future this alignment is next going to occur...
Do think about playing with a friend. Music making is so much more fun when it is shared, and you don't have to be at all advanced to do it. Know any pianists, flutists, other clarinetists, etc?
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