 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: JanetAnne
Date: 2006-03-24 09:22
As a person who took up playing the clarinet as an adult, 10 years ago, I'm just about to start playing again. I am curious as to the main cause of "squeaks" when playing and what the best way is to eliminate them.
I remember doing well in my first exam years ago with one or two minor squeaks happening during the exam. However, I become quite tense in front of an audience in general, when squeaking can tend to get out of control, therefore I would like to know the best way to avoid them. I suspect tension is a big factor, and relaxing while playing might help.
I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks in advance, Janet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-03-24 13:39
My favorite thing to check first is the balance of the reed. You can angle the clarinet off to one side and tongue on the corner of the mouthpiece. Then do the other corner. The resistance should be the same, if not, do a little work with a reed knife in the upper third of the vamp on the more resistant side.
Having said that, I don't think this is your problem. Since this seems to be on-going, my belief is that you are playing a short lay mouthpiece with a long lay embouchure. That is, you're putting too much mouthpiece in your face. One way to see where the point for your lips should be, is to slip a piece of paper in between the reed and the mouthpiece. Where it stops is where you put your lips. Or, you can just play an open G and keep putting in more mouthpiece until you squawk. Back off slightly from there and that's your sweet spot for that mouthpiece. You can overlap mouthpiece patches to provide a stop at that point to help train your teeth to the ideal spot.
There is one other one but I also feel this is not your problem. Sometimes the table of the mouthpiece has a dip in it, and this can cause squeaking in the altissimo register.
..............good luck,
........................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2006-03-24 15:02
JanetAnne,
Here is a checklist for some common causes of squeaks. They are not in any particular order.
Since you suspect tension to be your problem, it might help to put a patch on the mouthpiece (if you are not already using one) to give you a slightly more secure feeling. Also, avoid any foods or drinks containing caffeine.
Regards,
Hans
- 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
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2006-03-24 15:23
- and the wrong amount of air (can cause what sounds like a squeak but is really a -wrong- note)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-03-24 15:25
after correcting any misplacement of the reed, be sure your ligature is on just right--not too tight or too loose. Then, work on proper embouchure. While playing, try to keep your embouchure firm and steady. Most of my squeaks come from slight movements of my embouchure. Also, be sure your reed is free from chips and cracks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-03-24 15:44
Most often, my squeaks and sqwawks come from sloppily placed fingers.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2006-03-24 20:52
Somehow Hans, in his fairly comprehensive list, missed my most common source of squeaks--overblowing. Well, maybe it could be considered misapplied lip pressure in that, with proper lip pressure, the horn can produce good notes with the same large air current.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2006-03-25 15:18
Don,
Thanks for pointing it out. I'll add that to my list.
regards,
Hans
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
