 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: DavidR
Date: 2008-08-26 15:32
Hello All.
I am a new clarinet playing, playing only a few weeks. I love the instrument and I practice everyday at least one hour. However I am extremely frustrated that I can't play notes with the register key. I've taken the instrument (Yamaha) to the shop and it checked out okay. I watched as the tech effortless played the clarion register.
So what am I doing wrong? How do you play the the Clarion register?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-08-26 15:45
"only a few weeks"
When this becomes " a few months" you will very likely be able to get the clarion notes. I don't know anyone that got clarion notes in weeks.
Also, the "search" feature will allow you to look through old posts very easily.
Post Edited (2008-08-26 15:45)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: NorbertTheParrot
Date: 2008-08-26 16:22
In the UK exam grades system, clarion notes aren't required until grade 2.
However, I'm a little surprised that it is taking you so long as an adult learner (I assume).
Which notes have you tried? The upper clarion (above G) is a bit tricky. The lower clarion (below D) can be awkward too. The notes in between should be pretty easy.
The first priority, however, is to get a good firm sound in the chalumeau (lower) register. Until that is right, don't try to play the clarion. You should also check that you are playing reasonably well in tune; bear in mind that student clarinets are usually tuned at A=442 rather than A=440, so you may need to pull out a millimetre or two. Use an electronic tuner - don't rely on matching your pitch to a piano.
But let's assume that your sound is acceptable and you aren't frantically sharp or flat. Play a chalumeau C at mezzo-forte. A good firm note - don't blow fit to burst, but don't whisper either. As the note sounds, open the register key with the edge of your thumb, making quite sure the thumb hole doesn't leak as you do so. The C should break upwards a twelfth to a nice clear G. It should be effortless - as your tech demonstrated. You don't need to blow twice as hard, or bite, or wave the instrument around!
If it works, then try adding a finger at a time to descend to middle-line B. If the sound breaks up, probably you are not covering the holes properly.
Finally, try working upwards from G to high C. This may be quite a bit harder!
Do all of this slurred to start with. Tonguing these notes will take a bit more time to learn.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-08-26 16:57
The best advise you can be given is to take lessons. When I taught young students I often took months before introducing the notes above the break, depending on the student of course. ESP
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2008-08-26 19:10
Reed size can determine a good deal of how you sound as well..a teacher of repute would certainly be able to determine what you are doing and offer solutions to this problem. Getting a truly beautiful sound in the clarion is not an easy task by any means..
David Dow
Post Edited (2008-08-26 20:49)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-08-26 19:25
It's all in the head of the player. Forget the concept of "break" and "register change" for a minute.
(Proper finger placement does help, however)
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
