 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-08-27 23:31
What are the general causes for the high 'E' not to come out. Usually when I tongue it, it comes out as a growl.
Isn't it because the reed is too soft? Or what? What should I do? I don't have all that many reed tools, and not so much money to dish out for them.
I've found that pressing down the first finger hole's ring down as hard as possible helps support it. It makes it into an actual note more frequently, but there are still times it doesn't come out completely.
By high 'E', I'm sure you know I mean the 'E' 4 ledger lines above the staff, right?
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-08-27 23:52
Try overblowing the G# (one note above the staff). It is very good on Eefer and also reasonable on Bb, especially when making jumps. It is also quite a good clear note.
eefer guy
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Author: xarkon
Date: 2009-08-27 23:53
4 ledger lines above the staff?
Isn't that G?
E above the staff is 3 ledger lines above. Usual fingering is thumb, register key, middle and ring finder of left hand, add the right hand pinky Eb key to raise pitch a bit if needed.
If it is really G you are talking about, there are many fingerings; the first one learned is not always the best for all situations. If you do mean G and are fingering as follows:
LH: thumb, register key, middle finger
RH: index finger, middle finger
...and then, what you mean by "pressing down the first finger hole's ring down as hard as possible helps support it" is that you are pressing on the right hand first finger hard, there might be a leak in the pad associated with that.
...however, if you're pushing on the left hand first (index) finger ring...I suspect something else is going on.
Dave
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-08-28 00:08
There is a technique called half-holing which makes these notes come out a little easier. Basically, instead of lifting the LH first finger up all the way, you partially cover the hole. Perhaps when you say you are pushing the ring down hard, this is what you are actually doing.
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Author: ClarinetPlayer_18
Date: 2009-08-28 01:55
A while ago I had a lot of trouble with the high E. I could hit G and F just fine but E gave me a lot of trouble. My teacher told me that I could take the top finger of my left hand and sort of slide it off when I played it. Like you start to finger the G a few notes lower and then when you play the E slide it off at the same time. It probably is close to the same things the others are saying about covering half the hole, or maybe works the same way.
Either way though, definitely check your emboshure and just keep working at it. The little things having to do with how you play it can help and usually do but most probalems I've encountered were from a bad emboshure or just lack of practice. I used to struggle for the E. A few months later I'm here adn I have a very nice control (at least enough to play them on command) up to the A above that E and I'm struggling to get past the E an octave up. Who knows? In a year or so maybe I'll have another octave? Overall I'd say just keep working at it and have someone who teaches or is really good check your emboshure because, if it is wrong, it could save you a lot of stress.
(Funny story about stuff like that.. I played since 6th grade and started taking lessons my mid junior year Highschool. It only then, like 5 years later, occured to me that "tonguing" might involve the tongue touching the reed. So I walked into my lesson and asked my teacher: "How do I tongue?" and the look was hilarious (we were working on Weber's Concertino) because somehow my fake tonguing passed off decently. I've been working on it now fr almost a year and it's getting better though I wish i would have learned correctly in the frst place haha. Morale of story: Learn it right the first time and don't be afraid to ask how you are doing)
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-08-28 11:29
> What are the general causes for the high 'E' not to come out?
We had a thread about this a while back. Basically these altissimo notes require two vents: the speaker key and another open hole. The first finger LH hole is just a poor vent for the 'E'.
A better vent is to play clarion 'G' and hit the G# key with the side of your left index finger. This makes a superb 'E' but is unfortunately no good for fast runs.
Another trick is to half-cover the 1st finger LH hole. Maybe this is what you're inadvertently doing when you press down that ring! Half a hole is sometimes a better vent than a full hole.
Finally, experiment with voicing the note differently. That's essentially where your tongue is inside your mouth. It's a similar feeling to changing pitch when you're whistling. I have a tendency to 'whistle high' on altissimo notes to 'squeeze them out', which /does not help/; a more relaxed approach seems to work better. Remember that 'E' is only really in the low altissimo. That fingering also gets you the 'A' above!
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Author: RAB
Date: 2009-08-28 12:11
You said that you had to press the ring down hard. I suspect that if it is the right hand ring then the bridge adjustment might be out and the top pad is not sealing correctly, If it is the left hand ring then the pad that corresponds to that ring might be leaking also. After years of teaching I always make sure the instrument is working correctly first. I have spent many lessons trying to "fix" a student's problem only to learn it is a mechanical issue with the instrument.
Hope this helps
RAB
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-08-28 14:14
There are several reasons for this to happen, assuming you are talking about the correct note. Check my fingering chart in my website and try several of the fingerings to see which works best for you. This could be an instrument leak, incorrect voicing or embouchure problem. If you are talking about the E and the D and Eb and F works well then it's probably voicing but if those notes are a problem too then it could be the clarinet leaking someplace or a pad not sealing properly without pressing hard. Chances are it's not a reed problem. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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