 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: will
Date: 1999-03-21 14:00
Well, here's the problem:
Usually I practice in a fairly open area, and I already noticed that my tone sounded very airy.
But when I tried practising in a room today, about half of what I heard was air and not a note, especially before I warmed up. After playing for an hour, it was better, but still VERY airy. Can anyone please help me?
I realize questions of this sort probably occur quite regularly on this bulletin board, but please bear with me.
Thank you.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-03-21 15:44
Could you post some details on your setup?
1) Brand, model, and strength of reed
2) Brand, model, and age of mouthpiece
3) Brand, model, and age of clarinet
4) How long have you been playing?
There is a good possibility that you just need more breath support for the equipment set up that you are using.
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-03-21 16:11
I agree with Dee. I've noticed that you get an airy sound if you don't have the breath support for the stiffness of reed that you use. Try dropping down a half increment.
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Author: David Shea
Date: 1999-03-23 17:29
A good test to see if your reed is too hard is to play a passage with a double lip embouchure. If this causes great pain, your reed is too hard. If it isn't, blow more air while playing double lip and see if the sound clears up. I am not necessarily implying that you switch to double-lip (I don't) but most professionals I know use double-lip as a means to check their embouchures and setups. You should get an identical sound if you are playing correctly. Hope this helps.
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Author: will
Date: 1999-03-24 11:37
I use a Vandoren 3 1/2 reed, a LeBlanc Mouthpiece and instrument (the age is undetermined because the instrument is not one I bought), and I have been playing for almost 2 years (only).
And David, so do you mean the sound should clear up if I blow more air in while using double-lipping?
Thx.
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Author: David Shea
Date: 1999-03-24 17:36
I didn't realize you have only been playing for two years so forget the double lipping for now. I teach a few young students and it sounds like from your equipment that you might consider a new mouthpiece. I have had incredible success with Clark Fobes' Debut mouthpiece. They are inexpesive ($29), easy to play with your vandoren 3 1/2 reed, and sound great. I have had some of my college students play on them if they can't afford the expensive mouthpieces. I believe Clark Fobes is one of the sponsors of this site. Check it out. Good luck.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-03-29 14:40
I personally stepped down a half strength at a time until my air support matched the reed strength. I'm an adult novice with only about 4 years of part-time hacking at it, but stepping down to a more reasonable strength reed for my Vandoren B45 mp helped a bunch to eliminate the airy sound and to minimize the quick build-up of moisture inside the horn.
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