 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: suavkue
Date: 2008-09-06 23:08
My clarinet tends to play other notes (multiphonics, possibly? or the air isn't going through correctly), which are especially noticeable in soft pieces, e.g. the Adagio of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto.
It's kind of bizarre how it works... it starts when I play the first G above the staff (written) xxx|ooo (x= covered hole, o= opened hole). For some reason, at the same time, the note an octave down + a third down is ALSO played, but at a much softer volume (in other words, while playing that G, an E also comes out: xoo|ooo without the register key). It follows the same pattern when it goes higher (so, for G#, a F natural comes out; for A natural, a F# sharp comes out; etc). Nothing comes out with the side key Bb, but with xoo|xoo , a F# sharp comes out. Then with the B natural and C natural above that, a G (open) comes out. The note doesn't change until I get to the SECOND B above the staff (a G# comes out, at the same register as the other notes).
This has happened with every clarinet I have ever tried, so I'm suspecting it is an embouchure problem (EVERY note sounds airy, and I have checked my clarinet for any problems and I haven't noticed any)... I just noticed today that there isn't just moisture on the reed, but the top of the mouthpiece and the sides of the mouthpiece. It may be a biting problem, but I have one of those Vandoren pads on my mouthpiece.
EDIT: Also, when I do try to play a note, it doesn't respond right away; a noise is made unless I try to play at a forte or louder.
Thanks for any help.
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My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature
Post Edited (2008-09-06 23:14)
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-09-06 23:27
Well, if anything should come out, it should be the 6th /above/ the note, not the octave and a third below. For instance, when playing a G you might hear the E above that, its the next partial accessible on clarinet. If it really is the E below, then something very strange is going on.
Your reeds might be too soft, and you could be biting.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-09-07 13:57
It is possible to play the altissimo equiv. of a chalmeau fingering without using the register key using just embouchure control. It's a mind over matter kind of thing like forgetting to breathe.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-09-07 16:30
Since you have the problem on more than one instrument, it has to be the mouthpiece or the reed, or perhaps your embouchure.
Have you tried using a different reed? If not, try several others.
Many reeds have a shorter curve than the mouthpiece tip. This means that if the mouthpiece and reed tip line up at the center, the corners of the reed don't seal at the corners of the mouthpiece. Try moving the reed up a small amount -- perhaps 1/32" or 1/2 mm. -- to make sure it seals all the way across and around.
The problem could also be caused by warping down the center of the reed on the bottom. If the reed is fairly old, or has been left on the mouthpiece overnight with a tight ligature, the shape of the window area may be impressed on the bottom of the reed. In either case, the reed will leak along the bottom at the edges. Wet the reed lightly and press it gently against the back of a piece of glass. Look from the other side and rock the reed from side to side to see whether it's flat. If it's not, sand the bottom flat on 400 sandpaper over glass (keeping your fingertips off the vamp to protect the tip).
Finally, your mouthpiece may be damaged. Even a light bump against a music stand or table can bend back the area at the corner of the tip, producing an uncloseable leak. Clean the mouthpiece tip and examine it while pointing the tip toward the light to see whether it reflects evenly all the way across. If it reflects only at a different angle at some spot (especially the corner), the mouthpiece may be done for. At least try a different mouthpiece.
Finally, have someone else try your setup, and you try that person's. This will immediately show whether it's you or the instrument.
It's impossible to diagnose your embouchure without seeing and hearing you play. If the problems continue, you need to go to a teacher for help.
Ken Shaw
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Author: suavkue
Date: 2008-09-07 17:43
- Problem solved... apparently, I was biting the mouthpiece (when I thought the Vandoren pad would help with that, which obviously didn't)... so all I need to practice on now is to lower the amount of saliva that goes through.
But I have one question: I've had two private teachers and one band director who were clarinetists; why is it that I was never taught how to use the upper lip?
Thanks everyone!
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My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature
Post Edited (2008-09-07 18:11)
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2008-09-07 18:13
I see that you report that your problem has gone away -- very good!
However, it's worth knowing why in more detail -- it's not just 'not biting' for example, because I can play these 'grunts' (as they're often called) with all sorts of embouchure. It's more a combination of embouchure and what happens inside your mouth.
The topic was covered in a thread on the clarinet list:
http://test.woodwind.org/Databases/Klarinet/1998/10/000872.txt
...which you might find interesting.
Tony
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Author: suavkue
Date: 2008-09-07 18:40
I think what was happening was that there was air leaking from right below my teeth; when I was taught embouchure on my first lesson, I was told simply to "place my teeth at 'x' inches from the mouthpiece," and when I would breathe, the air would somehow get under my teeth, causing an air leak. (Note that I have braces.)
So, in order to solve that, I had to refer to this article by Tom Ridenour: http://ridenourclarinetproducts.com/teach.htm
I never knew that I am not supposed to close with the jaw, so this seemed kind of surprising to me. The nice thing about what I'm doing now is that it's easier to control tongue position, so I can finally get the tongue position right.
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My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature
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