 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rla_06
Date: 2006-01-22 21:58
I'm a senior in high school and have been playing the clarinet for about 7 years. My notes above C6 have been fine since about 8th grade, but all of a sudden a couple months ago I started having some problems. Most of the time, when I try to play D, Eb, or E6, I get a note from the next series of overtones. I practice 1-2 hours a day in general and have been trying to fix this problem since it started; however, I can't find the source.
My clarinet teacher thinks I'm biting, my band director thinks it's my reeds, the judge from All-State thinks it's a combination of nerves and not enough support, and the clarinet professor from a college at which I recently auditioned said it sounded like a mechanical problem, maybe a jump key leak. The squeaking doesn't happen every time, but probably 75% of the time. Also, the notes from F6 up are fine. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Rosemary
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Author: hans
Date: 2006-01-22 23:12
rla 06,
Below is a checklist of possible causes. It's in no particular order and it is not exhaustive. Some of these are easy to check; e.g., an experienced player such as you does not play with a dry reed.
Having a more experienced player test your clarinet may help to find a mechanical problem, or you could try to duplicate the problem by playing on another clarinet to see if it is caused by biting, nerves, inadequate support, etc.
I hope this is helpful.
Hans
Causes of Squeaks
- a dry reed
- accidentally touching a key
- the middle joint in a clarinet is not properly aligned
- using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
- a finger not covering a hole
- a pad not seating properly
- a weak spring not holding a key closed
- keys out of adjustment (e.g., the A key)
- unco-ordinated fingering
- a leaking joint
- a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
- too much mouthpiece in the mouth
- a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
- misapplied lip pressure
- a reed is split
- the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
- a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one side than the other
- a poorly designed, worn, or warped mouthpiece (a warped mouthpiece can be refaced)
- the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too high
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Author: ken
Date: 2006-01-23 01:18
Played clarinet 7 years? Sounds like the upper joint, top ring F#/B natural pad (directly under front teardrop key) is leaking or water-logged. This is a notrious spit pad that can saturate and choke off the entire 3rd-plus octave. Check it out and replace with a nice new, custom-cut cork pad. Also, for safety remove the register key and quick-blow/clear the vent hole. v/r Ken
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Author: rla_06
Date: 2006-01-23 02:27
Thank you both for your help. I have a lesson tomorrow, so I'll have my teacher try my clarinet and I'll try his to see if it's a mechanical problem or if it's me. By the way, I use mostly Vandoren Rue Lepic 56 reeds, and recently got some Gonzalez FOF reeds, both size 3.5. I have about 6 good reeds that I rotate, so I know it's not a problem with a specific reed, but it could be the brand or the strength. I also adjust them using sandpaper after playing them a few times, but if anything, that helps only marginally. My band director suggested that my reeds may be too hard, but they sound good (not stuffy) throughout the range (except those three notes!) and don't feel too resistant. And I've tried different fingerings as suggested by my teacher, but mostly stick to the standard. Oh, he did show me that the fingering for G5 + the G#4 key plays E6 easily, and although I haven't used it as much as the standard fingering, I've never had a problem with it squeaking. Sorry this is so long, and thanks again for all the input!
Rosemary
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-01-23 13:30
Also check pad above the RH second finger. Even a crack in the crease of the pad can cause a leak that may squeak - any problems of stuffiness with the one on one Bb?
And.......if the table of the mouthpiece has developed a "low spot" causing any unwarranted spaces between the mouthpiece and the reed, this will ALWAYS cause altissimo squeaking.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-23 13:50
Another thing is anxiety or stress - this can lead to squeaks as well, so make sure you're relaxed and not getting yourself frustrated when playing in the altissimo register.
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2006-01-23 14:18
I'd get the instrument regulated especially if that hasn't been done in a long time. It should cost that much and will payback big dividends. Get the best tech you can find in your area to do it. I'm guessing your instructor will have a recommendation for a good tech.
Please let us know what you find out.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-01-23 15:25
I've been having your problem since changing mouthpieces, reeds and trying to break myself of "half holing" the LH first finger in the altissimo. Its very frustrating, is it not?
Two things have helped me. I balance my reeds. The Ridenour ATG system gives a test for reed balance:
Play middle C;
Add register key (clarion G)
Open first LH finger (altissimo E)
Open LH pinky F#
Without changing embochure, the series of notes should play cleanly if the reed is balanced (and the horn is all ok).
If the reed won't make these jumps, check it for balance. One side or the other is probably stiffer than the other. The reed can be corrected by sanding lightly alon the hard edge and tip.
It will be bad for your ego, but good for your concience to have your teacher try your horn. Let him/er use your mouthpiece and reed, tho.
good luck
I've got my squeaks down to about 8% from 100% a couple months ago.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-01-23 18:43
Once you've had your equipment checked for a bad pad or two, check your embouchure. Are you biting or moving your embouchure out of fear of not getting the note out?
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Author: rla_06
Date: 2006-01-24 03:10
Okay, I had a clarinet lesson today for the first time in a few weeks (teacher was on vacation). We spent the whole time trying to get to the root of the problem. He played my clarinet and squeaked on the D once, and said the middle joints weren't lined up right (though I'm usually careful about that). After that, he didn't have any problems with it and said the only way he could make it squeak was to bite a lot, and that probably when I first learned D I had to bite to make it speak, and now I don't need to but I'm still doing it. He said that the clarinet was in good shape but could use some adjustment. He also said that another cause is probably tonguing too close to the tip of my tongue in the altissimo. We experimented with both these factors and breath support, and it seemed to help. But I'm still going to get my clarinet inspected and readjusted, because he said that would help some. Anyway, he told me to work on tonguing/slurring scales and passages from pieces im working on in altissimo for the week and that would probably fix it. Thank you to everyone who posted advice!
Rosemary
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