 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2009-10-11 21:01
My name is Jimmy. Hi everyone. I am mad at a music company because i accidently ordered the wrong reeds. I emailed them, and they emailed me back asking what kind of reeds i wanted. I then asked them if i could buy a brand of reeds that arent in stock at the moment, but if i could wait until they DO get in stock, and they haven't replied back for 3 days now.
Anyways, i have a simple question because im a novice. How do i prevent getting sharper when i play softer and flatter when i play louder? Thx alot.
Post Edited (2009-10-11 21:02)
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2009-10-11 22:19
Try to use as close to a constant supply of air as possible. What you describe is unavoidable to some degree, but you can minimize the problem. Its kind of hard to picture, but imagine using faster and slower air instead of more and less air.
Also, give the music store a break, they are probably very busy and will get back to you when they can. If you get the reeds before they get back to you, don't open them, just wait for a response, they will probably ask you to ship them back in some way.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-10-11 22:21
As the effort of pushing air at loud volumes subsides we mistakenly (and probably quite subconsciously) substitute more effort in the jaw department (squeezing the mouthpiece/reed). This is what makes you sharper at low volume levels.
You need to focus on keeping a firm embouchure (round structure formed by lips) around the mouthpiece utilizing all the muscles around the mouth (to include the cheek muscles and upper lip muscles). I was once told that you should be able to form a good embouchure SANS clarinet mouthpiece and THEN insert the mouthpiece into your face.
At very least this concept should help you.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-10-12 03:26
It sounds like a simple problem to me. You pinch the reed or choke off the air when you play softly to "control" the tone and you don't support your embouchure enough when you play loud. These are very common problems. The louder you play the more secure around the mouthpiece your embouchure needs to be so the tone doesn't get flat. If you're playing softer you have to keep your embouchure secure too but not so much that you pinch or choke or you will get sharp. ESP Check out the clarinet article page on my website for clarinet basics. http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-10-12 13:44
Look at Tom Ridenour's latest videos on Youtube regarding the Air Stream, long tones, etc. (They are in the 50s as far as sequence of his clarinet videos). Do a youtube search for "Billy boy 647" and you will find the videos. Pay attention to where he talks about "snugging" the mouthpiece.
Also worth their weight in at least silver are the two books Tom has published, The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet, and his book on Clarinet Fingerings.
Jeff (Typos edited)
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-10-12 20:23)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-10-12 15:36
All of the above is on the mark. Also, keep in mind (since you're ordering reeds) that a reed that's too soft will exaggerate the problem you describe. The reed ought to be responsive and not stuffy/airy at soft dynamics but have enough resistance not to close when you use a firm embouchure around the mouthpiece.
Karl
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Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2009-10-13 23:25
ok thx alot guys. nex question. Whenever i hold a soft note out it gets flatter the longer i hold it. Why is that?
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-10-13 23:49
Because your air support is getting less and less as you run out of air. Trying keeping you diaphragm muscles really tight, with LOTS of support.
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Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2009-10-14 23:27
lol i hav lots of intonation problems. Ok so now i know why i get flatter when i hold a soft note out. But what's the problem if i get SHARPER the longer i hold the note?
and also i notice i get slightly(about 5-10 cents) sharper when my embouchure is tired from when i just start playing. Is that normal? i have alot of questions..i could ask them all day long so i really apreciate the responses.
Post Edited (2009-10-15 00:00)
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-10-15 01:04
It's because you're biting when you get tired. That causes the pitch to go up. You have to find just the right balance between keeping your air support and air stream steady and not biting to keep the pitch even. Try practicing long tones with a tuner as part of your warm-up.
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Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2009-10-15 21:47
i know this is silly, but wat exactly is biting? Because i've recently started playing alot of double lip and whenever i play i make it a point stretch the teeth away from the mouthpiece. Does the clamp of the jaw count as biting?
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