The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Why do I sound awful?

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2009-10-10 17:09

Clarinet is one of the easiest instruments on which to produce basic tone. It doesn't take a "correct" embouchure or a great deal of skill just to get a sound that is mostly tone with little or no air. So, I would suggest that your reluctance to "blame" the clarinet (or by extension the rest of the equipment chain) is misguided. If, as you say, the instrument is in good working order, then it's more likely either the mouthpiece is damaged in some way or that the *combination* of reed and mouthpiece is at the center of your problem, to which you may have added some muscular contortions to try to make them produce a sound.

But I'm curious as to why you'd necessarily look for a mouthpiece specifically that would work well with soft reeds. A more successful approach might be to go to a very "middle-of-the-road" combination - a medium tip opening with a medium curve and whatever reed the manufacturer recommends for it. Vandoren is quite open about the basic measurements of its mouthpiece facings (check their website). I think you'd be better off going to one of the ones in the middle (25 players will probably make 25 different specific recommendations) and buy reeds that Vandoren recommends - probably #3 Vandorens - and see what comes out. I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong with their open-tipped jazz mouthpieces, but with the basic problems you're describing, you will probably do better to avoid a specialty mouthpiece of any kind. At least until you have things under control and know what more specialized direction you want to take.

I'd also second (or third, or wherever I am in line) the advice to consider arranging for a lesson or two with an experienced player. If you have added any physical embouchure contortions to the mix, it's much easier to hear and see what needs to be corrected in person than over the Internet.

Good luck.

Karl

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Why do I sound awful? new

2009-10-09 21:14