 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-07-07 02:20
I'm in my 13th week of learning the clarinet. I won't be able to see my teacher for about another month, or so. Would someone please answer a simple (for you anyway) question for me?
I've been practicing the C scale from middle C to C above the staff by slurring. I also would like to practice it with tonguing, but when I get to B and C above the staff... no matter how hard I try... I can't get it. I can barely get A above the staff, but that's it. I have done a search of past posts, but it's such a broad subject, I was unable to find a good source of info, possibly because I didn't choose the proper key words.
I'm using a #3 VD reed. Will I have to wait until I can use a stronger reed to be able to tongue the B and C, or is it something very basic that I'm not doing right?
Thank you for all your help; this forum is so good for us rookies.
CarlT
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-07-07 02:43
Thanks, David. Yes, that helped. I squeaked a bit, but at least I was able to get it when I put a bit more reed in my mouth (even got the C).
Now I'm thinking, "wow, that makes the old embouchure muscles tingle." So now, taking in more reed, I'll have to go through some more "embouchure muscle building" I suppose. That'll set me back a few weeks, but gotta do whatever it takes (I believe it should also help the tone quality, so that's another good reason I bet).
Again, this forum is the best.
CarlT
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-07-07 04:07
Remember, when you get into a Ferrari for the first time, don't floor it....
You will have more flexibility with more mouthpiece (as long as it isn't too much!!), but with that flexibility you will have to work to control it more.
Just like having a more powerful car under you.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-07-07 12:10
Hadn't thought of it that way, David, but sounds like a very good analogy. BTW, I drive a 4 cylinder Camry, so my Fobes Debut fits right in. I take all your advice to heart.
Thanks.
CarlT
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-07-07 15:24
While playing "open" G, put more and more mouthpiece into your face until the clarinet squeaks. Then, back off just enough to make your sound stable. That gives a pretty good indication of how much reed to take for the entire range of the instrument.
Revisit your "chonk" occasionally to be sure that you haven't let the instrument fall out of your mouth. It's even a good idea to always take in more mouthpiece --so that you get the occasional squeak. (This way, you can tell your playing partners that it is a win --that you are finally learning to take in enough reed.)
You're going to love working with the notes above high C: they work a whole lot easier when there is enough reed to drive them.
OH, and support your airstream to make sure that your body realizes that you are playing a wind instrument.
Bob Phillips
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Author: autumnsilence
Date: 2008-07-12 07:54
I had a similar problem and it seems like it is something that is fairly true for most people when playing in a range they arent used to playing in. My band teacher said that it was usualy easier to slur up to a high note (or down to a low one) that you are having trouble hitting or arent used to playing very often. I remember when i tried out for 'All-state band" (where they form a band from anyone in the peninsula that passes the tryout) the auditions were always way harder than anything you would do in the actual band music they performed but i suppose it just to weed out the best people.. it ususaly consited of a few peices, that were rather finger twisters along with an extensive cromatic scale from the low E (lowest note) to the G4 which is not the first G above the staff, rather the one an octive higher, so essentially the full range of a clarinet. Having never had to play above a high C, it was really tricky at first but it was always much easier to slur up to it rather than tounging each note as i got used to it. After a while i could hit those notes (with difficulty) if i was very warmed up.. but i do think it may have sometihng to do with the fact that your emboucher changes slightly as you go higher or lower (although most begginers dont notice it much, but it is a good bit of knowledge to know because it sometimes helps to know that) and since you are slurring, you have a steady stream so that your emboucher doesnt chage at all only your fingers do to go higher.. When you toungue i think it effects your emboucher slightly and if your not used to adjusting your emoucher for much higher notes then it is really difficult to tongue when you first learn them.. dont know if that made much sense but tried to explain the best i could.. hope it helps.
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