 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Steve
Date: 1999-03-03 02:27
Whenever I play the lower B natural in the clarion register, I produce what I call a "saxaphone-sounding" tone. The tone is rather harsh and breathy. C natural sounds fine. Is there something I am doing wrong, or is this a "problem" note inherent to clarinets in general?
(I have the same problem on my old, resin Vito and my Yamaha 34.)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-03-03 04:08
Steve wrote:
-------------------------------
Whenever I play the lower B natural in the clarion register, I produce what I call a "saxaphone-sounding" tone. The tone is rather harsh and breathy. C natural sounds fine. Is there something I am doing wrong, or is this a "problem" note inherent to clarinets in general?
(I have the same problem on my old, resin Vito and my Yamaha 34.)
----
Middle line B (as well as the bottom E) are "bell tones" on the clarinet, meaning these notes speak entirely from the bell and not from any of the tone holes. It is difficult to get these notes to blend with surrounding notes. Similarly, the throat tones (which resonate through the highest tone holes) often sound "fuzzy". It is a real challenge to focus the air and tone on these notes. In addition, the "long" notes (middle B and low E) are more resistive, which doesn't help matters.
So ... yes, these are inherently "bad" notes, tonally, but you can work to improve the tone. I advise all my students (and all other wind instrumentalists) to play long tones every day. Concentrate on a beautiful tone always.
Kevin Bowman
Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor,
Rochester Conservatory of Music, Rochester, MI
and
Saxophones, Clarinet, and Keys,
B-Side Blues Project
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 1999-03-03 17:10
The main problem with the middle B is that the opening of the register key is in the wrong place for this note. Try resting the instrument on your knee and reaching with your right thumb for the third trill key. Sound better?
Professional bass clarinets gnerally have two register openings (like a saxophone) to solve this problem.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 1999-03-04 00:28
I would suggest more breath support and control and more embouchure development. I don't believe that the B natural is inherently bad but that it is more sensitive to factors like breath support etc. Once this things are mastered, the B natural can be an outstandingly gorgeous note because it is using the full tube length of the instrument.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 1999-03-04 12:26
I once had this problem on a clarinet that previously didn't sound that way. After awhile, the note also began to squeak occasionally. At that point, I realized that what I'd been interpreting as a technique problem was a worsening maintenance problem. When I took the clarinet to the repairman, he asked to watch me put it together. He discovered that I was in the bad habit of bracing a finger against the long rod leading to the B/E key when I attached the bell. Over time, I had slightly misaligned that key. The result was a very slight leak, so small it took a long time to start producing the obvious symptoms of a leak. The same thing could happen if the pad isn't seated perfectly. This problem affects the mid-staff B far worse than the low E.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: psw
Date: 1999-03-06 05:35
A different bell may aid in this problem as well, although not a $cheap$ solution...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
