 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-11-05 00:08
I need to be able to play my Eb clarinet in just a short amount of time. I'm having some reed issues that fix themselves at random times.
I have trouble playing high B and C (B5 and C6) Proper posture for the regular Bb clarinet is to have the bell between the knees. I try doing that with my Eb, and you know the instrument is too short to reach that far, so I point it in that area. Accompanied by tightening my embouchure as much as possible, those 2 notes will respond about 70% of the time. Along with a little clarinet swaying, the notes always come out. But that's not the proper way to play the instrument I don't think.
My lesson teacher suggested that the problem was that my reeds were too soft. (On my Bb, I play on Vandoren blue box 3.5s, so on my Eb, I got a Vandoren blue box 3.5.
I've tried the shortened Bb reed on the Eb, and it actually does work to get those notes out, but I end up getting high pitched squeaks in between every time I make fast movements between B and C.
What's your opinion about fixing this?
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2009-11-05 00:21
Firstly, who says the proper posture is with the bell between the knees? This in my opinion tends to limit project and can cause the tone to sound muffled. Try siting a little straighter with more of an angle.
Secondly, the problem could be one of two things. You are either biting too hard or your instrument needs looking at. My gut leans towards the biting. Try a 4 vandoren and use more support.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-11-05 00:25
I'm about to do my daily practicing, and I'll let you know if it's biting. I don't believe I'm biting, but since the Eb is smaller and requires more and less of everything, I may not realize it.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-05 00:42
"Proper posture for the regular Bb clarinet is to have the bell between the knees."
That's news to me. I know some players play that way and there's nothing wrong with it if they're comfortable but that's not necessarily the "Proper posture". Many players play with the bell on a knee and some play with the bell above the knees and many play with the bell between the knees but have their knees spread opened somewhat or have the bell closer to their body.
In any case I believe the bulk of your problem with the Eb lies in the voicing of it. Of course you need a good reed but B and C should not be a problem. It sounds like you're voicing too low or pinching. You need to be thinking, and voicing, higher like you're playing high Es and Fs on a Bb clarinet. I suggest you practice from the G below to the high D or E in a scale form slurred up and down slowly thinking about the voicing, placement of your tongue and position of your throat and lip pressure. After doing that several times tongue each note and do that several times. Then practice starting from the G and slur up one interval at a time, G to G#, G to A, G to Bb, G to B etc. then do the same thing tonguing each note. It may take a few days to become consistent but it should work but you have to concentrate on your voicing and lip pressure. You can also practice 12th, low C to the 12th above G, C# to G# etc. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2009-11-05 02:53
The only way you can define a "correct" position for holding a clarinet is to make sure that everyone is issued the same model jaw with matching sets of teeth, lips, and muscles. Use the position that works best FOR YOU and don't try to match some arbitrary standard. Loosen up and try some different positions. Personally, I find that I have better luck holding the eefer higher than I do a Bb. You were issued a different body, so you have to find what works for you.
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Author: salzo
Date: 2009-11-06 19:24
If you are used to playing the clarinet on the knee or on the thighs, it could certainly be the cause of the issue you are having with the Eb. I generally play on the thighs, sometimes on the knee.
When I play Eb I use a foot rest that classical guitarists use. St one foot on it, rest the bell of the clarinet on the knee.
If I forget my foot stool, I cross my legs, play with the bell on the knee.
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Author: salzo
Date: 2009-11-06 19:30
My lesson teacher suggested that the problem was that my reeds were too soft. (On my Bb, I play on Vandoren blue box 3.5s, so on my Eb, I got a Vandoren blue box 3.5.
What kind of mouthpiece do you play on the Bb and also the Eb?
If you are playing an "open" Bb, and a "closed" Eb mouthgpiece, or vice versa, it can certainly require a different strength reed.
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Author: 78s2CD
Date: 2009-11-07 00:42
Are you sure there isn't a leak somewhere? When I have specific notes that don't speak on any clarinet from bass to Eb soprano there's usually a leak. Even if the instrument passes static pressure and vacuum tests, it may still leak in the course of being played. On the Eb I find that the usual suspects are ring heights.
Best regards,
Jim Lockwood
Rio Rico AZ
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