 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: byte
Date: 2009-02-20 01:50
Hi
I'm a student and I've been trying to play Sousa's Hands Across the Sea. However, I'm having significant trouble playing the higher notes; they come out squeaky and just awful.
Now I'm definitely intending to practice this piece for the next few weeks (by that time I have to perform it in a concert). I'm just wondering if anyone has a few pointers to give for playing some of the highest notes (upper D-G)... Common mistakes and all that.
Thanks
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2009-02-20 02:54
Step one, especially for the D to G range, is to not think of them as "high". Play them as you would play any other note. If your air support is there and you're not freaking out your embouchre, you should have a better time.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-02-20 12:31
On a daily basis, as a warm-up, play the overtone series of your clarinet.
Start with low E, then push the register key = B
Then F -> C
etc...
Concentrate on your air support and steady embouchure. If you are familiar with the concept of focusing the sound with tongue position, this is an excellent time to concentrate on that.
If you're fundamentals are correct you shouldn't need to alter you embouchure to achieve these notes.
When you reach low A, push register key = E, then remove first finger LH = C#
Bb -> F -> D
B -> F#-> D#
C -> G -> E
C#-> G#->F
D -> A -> F# ...then add first two fingers of RH = G
I regularly have first year students who can play an altissimo G that ISN'T appalling...often with a great sound. Now they'd probably freak out if they saw it in music...but they actually can play it.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2009-02-20 18:35
Also, be certain the upper, and lower for that matter, section is air-tight . The less leakage the better. Then, there is the reed......, etc.
richard smith
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-20 22:05
One big problem is that the higher you go in the clarinet compass, the more important reed strength becomes. To play those notes comfortably, you need a reed that's responsive but strong enough to resist closing when you use a firm embouchure (firm around the mouthpiece, not biting up on the reed). The right reed strength depends very much on what mouthpiece you play - the facing and the reed work together. So, one thing you can try is to experiment a half-strength higher. If it helps (and doesn't hurt anything lower) then stay with it. If it makes everything else dull and airy or doesn't help with the altissimo notes, go back to what's comfortable. Don't be afraid to experiment, but don't stick with something that damages your playing.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-02-21 01:52
Wow, that is a fun march. I just looked this up and it IS one of the "screachier" marches (with altissimo "A") that one will play.
Starting in the fifth bar of the second strain, use "G" fingered with: thumb and second finger of left; the bottom side key, the sliver-key (used for fork "F#") and the third space "C#" key of the right. This way, the "F#" neighbor can be played just releasing the bottom side-key.
Repeat in sixth bar, now in bar seven move from your standard altissimo "E" (thumb, second and third fingers of left) to the "A" just by adding the third space "C#" key on the right - really we are just overblowing the "E."
WOW..........this is a fun march. Just remember to keep the dotted quarter/eight note rythms of the trio snappy and you'll have it made.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2009-02-21 20:55
We played these marches in high school, 1940-43, directed by Sousa alumnus Bert Meyers, but we had the John Church Company publication. It shows those notes , in the first and second strains, but also ones an octave lower. We played the upper if able; otherwise the lower. With 24 b-flat clarinets in a 72 piece band you could not go wrong. Great march!!
richard smith
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2009-02-22 19:28
The version our Geriatric Community Band is playing doesn't have any altissimo "A". Fourth ledger-line G is the highest it goes.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-02-22 20:34
Original key is "F" (written G for Bb clarinet)
Yours must be "Eb" (written F for Bb clarinet).
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2009-02-23 23:04
Hmmm...our version starts off in concert F Major (one sharp in the Bb Clarinet part) and then goes to COncert Bb Major at the Trio. It says edited by Frederick Fennel. I play bottom on the divided parts though, so maybe I'm looking something wrong.
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