 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2006-10-21 02:33
So, I've come to a realization today that my altissimo range (above C#), isn't as round as I'd like it to be. It goes on the edge of thin and shrill sometimes.
I attended a masterclass of Donald Montanaro's where he gave an exercise to make all your clarion match the same tone (C5, C#, C, D, C, D#, C, E, etc. up until C6). I've been doing this exercise some and have been a good deal successful, probably have a way to go still.
But how, essentially, can I match my altissimo? Could I adapt the Montanaro techique and start on say a G5 and then go all the way up to a G6 (or higher if desired)? Would this work? I'm really just wanting a nice round, even tone throughout all registers. No hints of thin, bright, shrill, etc.
My current problems in playing is sometimes, when I have a fast passage in the altimisso, I sometimes bite when I get nervous or anticipate the passage. The biting issue as a whole is getting better, but it's just now mainly the whole nerves/anticipation issue. I just ordered the Inner Game of Tennis (which is actually an assignment for one of my classes) so I'm hoping this book will help me with the whole mindset issue.
I've been working through Baermann 3 and my teacher has been emphasizing relaxation and making the intervals very smooth (and will make me redo it until it is smooth, which can get frustrating, but ultimately I think is the right stance.)
So, I know by not biting the tone will be able to match better in the altissimo, but what else is there to a great smooth and even tone throughout all registers?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Post Edited (2006-10-21 03:17)
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Author: clarinetmc
Date: 2006-10-21 02:45
Not biting is very important.
Also make sure that you are not adjusting your tongue position when you play in the altissimo register. Any movement from the tongue really magnifies flaws in the sound when one plays in the upper register of the clarinet.
Also make sure that you are not shying away from using your air effectively in the upper register. It is really common for players to back off on their air when they are fearful of playing in a register that is not as comfortable to play in.
Hope this helps.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-10-21 02:47
Clarinetgirl, you said:
"I attending a masterclass of Donald Montanaro where he gave an exercise to make all your clarion match the same tone (C5, C#, C, D, C, D#, C, E, etc. up until C6). I've been doing this exercise..."
Would you mind describing the exercise exactly? Is it possible that the same techniques may work in the altissimo register?
b/
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2006-10-21 03:16
Exercise to make all your clarion match the same tone:
Play (C5, C#, C, D, C, D#, C, E, etc. up until C6) in whole notes at a slower tempo, maybe around quarter=60. Tongue each one, making sure there is no *tongue* noise. Just so the tongue merely interrupts the sound for a split second. Now, you play those notes as described and listen very intently and make sure:
1. That the tonguing is right 2. That each tone sounds the same as the tone of the C5 (tuning C). Oh, also it was to make sure that no tones *popped*-that each tone was the same loudness as the others and alike in every quality. That's really it.
If some people who were at the OU Symposium or have studied with Donald Montanaro want to chime in on this to further explain, please do so! You might want to have someone with a very descriminating ear listen to you to make sure everything sounds even, plus you could record yourself.
This exercise if very difficult at first and Donald Montanaro said he's never heard someone play this exercise perfectly their first time.
And yeah, I was asking earlier as well if this exercise would essentially be useful for the altissimo as well.
Also, anyone else know any other exercises for blending the altissimo?
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Author: 2E
Date: 2006-10-21 07:47
That excersize does practise altissimo notes however you want to practise blending the tone with the rest of the clarinets range. Try this simple slurring excersize.
Play (very slowly and with good tone production) chalmeau A then add the register key to slur up to clarion E and then lift your left index finger to slur upto lower altissimo C#. Do this simple excersize repeatedly ascending up in semi-tones so you get - A,E,C# - Bb,F,D - B,F#,D# (use fork) - C,G,E etc etc.
Work on the smoothest slur possible up to the altissimo notes with no "clip" sound with the release of the index finger or any interruption with the tongue at all. Through practising this excersize, the upper notes will have the same air support and embouchure position as the lower notes. Unfortunately this cannot work all of the altissimo range but it does get you producing high notes with the same tone quality as the low notes.
Hope this helps, good luck
2E
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Author: jmberch
Date: 2006-10-21 18:09
My way of practicing upper altissimo notes is similar to 2e, but i use the whole range of the clarinet. I start on a Bb in the staff, then i "lip up" (your not really lipping up, just changing the flow of air, similar to the trumpet) and i go up as hi as i can. I'm not sure what the notes are, but i try to keep it smooth and slur up and down. After Bb, i go down to A, then G#, it starts to get hard when i get around the low G/D/F#, ect...but once you get these down, altissimo is extremly easy. I have no trouble at all hitting a D7 with out working up to it. I can easily play all my scales 3 octaves and I am currently working on a few at 4.
You said you anticipate and you have trouble playing smoothly. My advice to this is to PLAY THE MUSIC. Playing music shouldn't be stressful, don't worry about up coming passages, just play. I used to worry about upcoming passages when i played but when i started to just play the music and make it sound good, i found that i didn't have as much trouble actually playing it, if you know what i mean; when i play now, my music is not only smooth, which comes natural, but sounds musical. Hope this helps.
Post Edited (2006-10-21 18:11)
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Author: 2E
Date: 2006-10-22 04:44
I think when you mention "lipping up" to other unknown notes your talking about voicing overtones. The simplest example of voicing is slurring from lower altissimo E to upper altissimo A without changing the fingering by simply overblowing the fourth. This does help other high notes by keeping your throat open and same type of air etc. Michael Webster showed me a fantastic excersize for practising voicing when he did a workshop over here in Australia. Ill only post it though if others want it, voicing definetly WILL assist in producing the altissimo register smoothly.
2E
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2006-10-23 07:46
Will any of these exercises help with Altissimo Intonation? I can voice the notes, but am generally flat when comapared to my neighbours in band. If there are any exercises that can help with altissimo intonation, then please let me know. Note: I don't have any trouble with intonation on the rest of the instrument. If this info helps, I play Buffet RC, Vandoren M30 mpc, V12 #3 reeds.
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Author: jmberch
Date: 2006-10-24 00:03
the only thing i can think of is adding the Eb key down, until you learn to play them in tune w/o...the only way it can happen is through practicing
'
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Author: 2E
Date: 2006-10-24 00:12
I hate to be really negative about this but look - in an ensemble every person, clarinet, mouthpiece, reed, ligature, embouchure etc etc is different.
The clarinet altissimo register + intonation ...
If you really wanted to you could practise high notes with a tuner for hours.
If you really wanted to you could experiment with the millions of fingerings which are just different tuning vents on the basic chart fingering.
If you really wanted to you could get your whole clarinet section to use the same fingering in an attempt to get all ur top F#s in tune.
Its just not going to happen! :p
2E
Post Edited (2006-10-24 00:28)
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