 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-02-02 04:08
I find in solo performances (local small band) probably because of nervousness that the reed will shut off on some notes (usually the important ones). What`s causing this:
a) Is my 2.0 RR. reed too soft? I have difficulty playing with anything above this strength on my Hite MPC. If it is too soft is there any way around this apart from a stronger reed?
b) Or is it where I`m placing my lips? More MPC in and I`m into the squeek zone. I guess I`m using a fare bit of bottom lip pressure but seem to need this to get the higher notes. I have negligible top teeth contact on MPC.
c) Is it just embouchure, and should I have more side of lips pressure and less top and bottom lip squeeze?
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Author: Rob Vitale
Date: 2009-02-02 04:32
Most likely the reed. switching up a strength can feel weird at first but it is a matter of getting use to it too. Rico reeds run very thin to begin with. A strong breath will seal one of those off real tight.
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-02-02 06:41
Yes I`m sure you are right Rob and a harder reed would stop the shut off, but I`m looking to see if there are any other ways to fix the prob. apart from going up, in reed strength. I`m really happy with a two.
Perhaps I need to be really critical where I position my lips re the MPC.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-02 11:47
It's very possible that the problem, if it happens suddenly on a specific note in a solo, may be a fingering problem rather than anything to do with the mouthpiece/reed/embouchure. I'm not discounting the possibility that you *are* closing the reed, but when you're nervous, your fingers may tend to tighten and pull closer together or, at least, away from their normal position. This can lead to opening tone holes or grazing keys (especially the two sliver keys or the right hand side keys).
If the reed and mouthpiece combination are comfortable for you when you're relaxed, and if using a stiffer reed results in poorer sound and response, then changing strengths may cause more problems than it solves (if it even solves the one you asked about).
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-02-02 12:19
Why don't you try a 2 Vandoren, just to see what happens? They're the tiniest bit stronger than an RR 2, but they're different. It could solve the problem.
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Author: Steve L
Date: 2009-02-02 12:30
This used to happen to me. As the 'important notes' approach I used to tense up with my embouchure and bite down, consequently shutting off the reed. (This was with a Vandoren trad 3.5 and a 5RV mouthpiece). The only thing for me was to try and be more concious of my embouchure. It is getting better :-)
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-02-02 14:22
Hi, Rusty........ can I ask if it is always the same notes?
Are you maybe aware that these notes play flat, and maybe your ear is making you bite more even though you don't want to?
Just a thought.......... H&P.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-02-02 17:13
Not all #2's will be the same. Test them. Play a long tone and try to bite the reed shut. If it is easy to do then there is a good chance that some throat notes will close off during performance. Only use reeds that you have trouble closing off. Another solution would be to invest in the ATG reed adjustment method. You could then use #21/2 or even #3 and adjust them to vibrate.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2009-02-02 17:52
Without hearing you play, if you are having to use a fair amount of bottom lip strength to play the higher notes then I would say your reed is too soft. You might find that playing on a harder reed is difficult because you are used to applying too much bottom lip pressure to the reed thus choking the vibration. On soft reeds, you can get away with this a little bit but it will be a no go on a harder reed.
The most important thing to remember with a mouthpiece/reed combination is that you want your air and reed to do all the work for you, not jaw pressure. A nasty side effect of applying too much jaw pressure to the reed is a sympathetic tension in your throat which adds to the problem.
Try a harder reed, at least 2 1/2 or even a 3 and relax your throat and jaw. Supply more air to the reed and let it vibrate the reed. Anything you do with your lower jaw to "help" the reed vibrate will actually do the opposite-it closes the reed off. The reed vibrates very fast when playing high so the slightest pressure can effect it more than say when playing low.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-02-02 19:46
your challenge could also be a shortage of breath support. Keep that airflow going.
Next time it happens, replay the passage with support in the front of your mind --getting more attention than anything else and see if the note plays.
Good luck, an on-hand teacher could probably fix you right up.
Bob Phillips
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-02 21:55
Keep in mind as suggestions are made that the problem Rusty originally described happens only during actual concert performance. If it's also happening during rehearsals or home practice, he doesn't say so, and that to me would change the nature of the problem and maybe of the possible answers as well.
Karl
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-02-03 17:45
Another possibility could be the mouthpiece --- if the 'break' (transition) between the flat table and curved rails is too subtle, then the reed will tend to lay down and shut off airflow with an increase in air pressure and/or increase in jaw pressure. This effect would be most pronounced on high-resistance notes such as the "long" clarion B, but could also occur in the upper clarion where some players have a tendency to pinch in order to raise the pitch of the notes.
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-02-03 19:12
Thank you all for your help. Lots of good suggestions. I`ve changed the reed to a Legere of same strength and this does`nt shut off to the same extent.
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