 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laur
Date: 2000-06-19 04:41
Hey.
Okay, tonight as I was trying to get the high notes out, i found I couln't.. My lip became really swollen, and I became dizzy. I could play up to a high G - a few times, i got a squeak that resembled A, but beyond that.. nothing. ~ Help .. Should I drop my jaw ? Keep a tighter embouchure ? Get a harder reed ? What's your suggestion ?
Thanks !
Laurie
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-19 12:15
take a break, relax and try again later.
I also found that if i take a little bit more of the mp in my mouth the high notes come easier.
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Author: Dave Lee Ennis
Date: 2000-06-19 14:01
Aghhhh! Ditto to Bob's comment. It sounds as though you are trying TOO hard to find those top not - A little more clarinet in the mouth might do the trick, and make sure you can support each note. You don't have to blow particularly hard, just support the notes. Being dizzy is a worrying sign, and reminds me of when I quit the clarinet for about 6 months. Because I was unfit at the time to hold my breath, I used to almost pass out every time I played the clarinet. Continuos practice of holding my breath (Through swimming) was my cure, plus a bit of regular practice with long phrased pieces.
I'm sure everyone here just wants to violentely disagree with me!
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-06-19 14:18
Maybe you just need a new reed. Have you been able to reach those notes before and can't now? Your reed may have softened too much. What reed are you using with what mouthpiece and for how long have you been using the present one?
If you've never been able to reach those notes, relax, you won't need them very often, although you should be able to play up to altissimo G as a matter of course.
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-06-19 14:59
I believe that the secret to hitting the upper altissimo is in being able to play chalemeau and clarion register notes very well. You have to have the foundation before you put on a roof.
Here is a long list of helpful hints:
Start always with long and low tones, warm up thoroughly as high as you can comfortably go and back down from there, gradually step up to the note that gives you trouble (the three octave drill is very helpful here), don't push yourself too hard, take in a little more reed or use a slightly stiffer reed, and provide plenty of air support (firm abdomen muscle support versus just pure volume is the key), make sure your entire air column from the belly button on up is open, try another fingering if the first one isn't working on your horn, and finally relax.
I personally find that last hint the most helpful. It's amazing what I can do when I am just fooling around without a care in the world. However, as a novice, I also know where my upper boundary is. Altissimo G is just about it for now. No big deal, unless I want to practice the original Baermann III drills. But, you see, that's the beauty of it. Since I'm doing it just for fun, who says I have to stay in the nosebleed section? So, if you don't need to "go there" now, don't push it too hard. Then later on, you just might surprise yourself and find that it really wasn't so hard after all.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-06-19 15:57
In addition to all the good advice above, work on them one note at a time. Get the altissimo D solid before you move to the E. Then get the E solid before you go on to the F, etc. You should be able to play the note as part of your scales, arpeggios and drills before adding the next note.
Work your way up to the altissmo G and G# in this manner. Then I recommend that you stay at this level for awhile until your embouchure is really well developed and you have good control of it. Notes above the G# are much more tricky. For example, the A is fingered the same as an E so you can imagine the control required to get the note you really want. Above that it is even more difficult. It is not unreasonable for someone to study diligently for 5 years before they are ready to go so high.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-19 18:10
It also depends on the type of music you are playing. Most of Benny Goodman's music is off the charts. So i stay away from it. Maybe when I'm 80 I'll give it a shot. That is if I can still remember that I have the music.
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Author: Laur
Date: 2000-06-19 19:23
Hey -
Thanks for the responces back - I was just bored, and playing around, basically taking my band music and raising/ lowering it the octive ( Yes.. i'm a troubled child. lol )
I use 3 reeds - Vandoren V12's - and have a B45 mouthpiece -Lig. is a Ronever ( spelling's off ) Cloth. The reed I was playing wasn't new, but it was good - It was one of thoes, perfect always in tune ones.. When I became frustrated with that - I switched to a 3 1/2 reed, but it didn't help any.
Headaches' and dizzyness is just worrying, as you said. I'm fine with the breating. I play sports, and also play flute/piccolo which require steady air streams - Also before playing I do long tones etc...
Soo.. i'll just keep trying. I can get a clear/strong G altimisso on a consecutive basis, soo.. it'll just take time.
Thanks
laur
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