 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Rogers
Date: 2000-06-19 04:33
I am 78 and have wanted to learn to play a clarinet ever since I used to jitterbug to Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Finally recently I found a cheapie which I had brought up to snuff by a music shop. Now I am able to get the deep tones but as I move up the scale sometimes it sounds and feels like all of a sudden there is a plug in the tube.
Is there a change in the mouth that needs to be made as I go up the scale? Do I hold my mouth different for those high notes?
Also arthritic fingers don't help but I'll keep trying.
Rogers
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-19 12:20
Roger welcome aboard. There are a few more silver hairs out here as well.
You may have a pad problem that need another adjustment. i have had to take my horn back a couple of times to have it taken care of.
Play with your reed a little bit. Just moving it up or down or side to side may correct the problem.
You may want to invest in a good mouthpiece. Some of the real cheap ones just don't work. Your local store may let you try one at home.
keep the fingers moving.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-06-19 12:34
Roger,
Practice your scales in front of a mirror and watch your fingers. Make sure you are covering all the rings properly. You have an air leak somewhere and if your pads are seating it is probably due to improper hand (finger) position. Another way to identify this is to take a look at your fingers after pressing them on the keys. Do you see the light impression of the rings in the middle of the finger or are the impressions off to one side? Good Luck!
J. Butler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Eoin
Date: 2000-06-19 14:14
The embouchure (way you hold your mouth) that you use at the start to get those lovely low notes will not work for high notes. This does not mean that you have to adjust your embouchure while you play. Instead, you must practise lots and develop strong muscles around your lips and the sides of your mouth. Eventually you will be able to use a strong, tight embouchure for all the notes, both low and high, without having to change during playing.
At the start you should be able to play from the bottom note "E" up as far as the "Bb" which is an octave and a half above it. All these notes are known as the "chalumeau" register, pronounced "shall-oo-mow". To practise putting your fingers down exactly, start at the the high G where none of the holes are covered and work your way downward.
Also, make sure you start with a soft reed like a Rico 1.5. Don't progress to a number 2 until you have mastered the chalumeau notes and some of the notes in the clarion register, which are higher.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John
Date: 2000-06-19 14:34
You should have little change in your embouchure while moving around on the clarinet as a general rule. It may be you are pulling a finger away from a hole as you go up the scale. Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2000-06-20 05:57
Welcome to clarineting from another grey hair. That B natural (middle staff) is usually the first note to poop out if you have a leaky pad or fingering. Try the mirror method and if you're confident you're covering the holes properly, have a tech check for a bad pad or adjustment. Since you're new at this, I also would recommend a good student model mouth piece Pyne, Hite, etc. Very few clarinets come with a decent mouthpiece from the factory.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-06-21 01:02
If you have a teacher, or if you know someone who plays clarinet, I'd recommend asking that person to watch you play. Sometimes it's much easier for an outsider to spot something than it is to diagnose it while playing. Besides what other people have mentioned, the knuckle of your right index finger might be "riding" the lowest side trill key touch, or you may be resting either the left or the right pinkie finger on a key touch just enough to open it slightly. Welcome to the clarinet!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
