 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kimber
Date: 2010-06-08 19:18
I am a new player and have noticed that while my tone is overall pretty good, it is weak sounding through the F4/G4. I suspect it's because of the open fingerings (unsupported feeling of the clarinet) but what can I do improving the sound of those notes?
(Also any tips for getting consistent speaking of notes C6 and up would also be great. )
I am already taking private lessons, but still stuggle with these areas.
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-06-08 20:57
It all has to do with having a constant, supported air stream. That's key. I mentioned in another post recently that in certain throat tone areas such as that, people tend to (without knowing) tighten up their throats making for a buzzy, weak, and overall unappealing sound. Try doing vocal exercises to open up and then apply it to the clarinet. That should work.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-06-08 20:59
I forgot to mention, for the upper register, just have a lot of support and when tonguing up there, have the air ready to push through for a clean and clear sound, nothing obnoxious.
Also, if you're in NY, who do you study with? I might know who it is.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: kimber
Date: 2010-06-08 21:05
So I might be unconsciously over tightening my lips/throat for those notes and therefore squelching the sound?
I don't live in NY - not sure why the address came up that way.
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-06-08 21:35
Yes, it's nothing out of the ordinary, a lot of people suffer from this situation. You want your lips to be secure, not tight; as well, try singing some open notes, if you think about not closing your throat, your body will cooperate with some practice and the notes will sound good. I suffered from this and I remedied it that way.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-06-08 23:41
I don't want at all to dispute what Dave has suggested, but it needs, I think, to have the caveat added that you need to be sure you're using the right strength reed for the level of your embouchure development and your mouthpiece. Lots of support or even just lots of air (without the abdominal firmness that "support" usually implies) blown against too soft a reed will collapse the reed - close it up against the tip of the mouthpiece - as easily as biting will. Also, too soft a reed can make even a little embouchure pressure enough to close the reed. The result will be squeaks, thin sound, poor upper register pitch and response, etc... You said you have a teacher. Make sure you discuss with him or her the setup you're using. Even if it's a basic, OEM entry level mouthpiece that came with an entry level clarinet, you need a reed that doesn't close too easily but doesn't resist so much that you can't produce a focused, firm sound.
Karl
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-06-09 01:20
In addition to what I said, Karl has a really good point, the setup of the clarinet for your level, whatever it may be, has a lot to do with how you sound. Biting can be remedied by a harder reed, though, it's not the best solution, that should just be fixed without changing reed strength. It's important to look at your mouthpiece and measure the opening in millimeters because sometimes, it can be too close or too far from the reed. If the mouthpiece is the problem, my guess is that it's too close. Check that as well as what I suggested.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: kimber
Date: 2010-06-09 01:33
I am using a Hite premier, Luyben lig and 2.5 GC Select reeds. I also use a double lip embouchure. I don't think biting is generally a problem, at least not with the other notes. While I do have a teacher, clarinet is not her primary instrument...so her troubleshooting suggestions are limited.
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Author: ddavani
Date: 2010-06-09 02:28
I think it would be a good idea to switch to 3.0 size reeds and maybe try Vandoren Blue Box 3's. In terms of your ligature, the Luyben has certain interesting qualities to it, though, metal can contribute to a thin tone, though these are very good ligatures. My suggestion for a ligature is a BG Ultimate (or the highest that it goes to), which is cloth with a gold dipped bar. It'll cost you about $25 for the ligature but it will greatly improve your sound, making it warmer and richer which will be great for that register.
-Dave Davani
http://allclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-06-09 04:23
A thin tone sometimes has advantages, for example it can go through some tight places that a fat tone can't.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-06-09 07:02
My experience from teaching at Kent State, and playing for 40 plus years is the reeds are a bit light in strength, biting, and learning how to blow through the horn. Sometimes trying a slightly harder reed and play long tones in the upper register. In this case watch yourself play in front of a mirror. This will surely help you develop better muscle control. When looking into a mirror check out the position of the clarinet. The correct position of the clarinet may be different for people, but the key here is to figure out the ideal reed, mouthpiece, mouth formation, breathing, and the clarinet position.
This may take you a few weeks or up to several months. Use the mirror everyday when practicing. To keep from biting, which thins your sound try double lip. If you are biting with a double lib you probably won't last more than 5 minutes before your upper lip is too sore to play anymore. At this time go back to a single lip. Continue practicing double lip until you are able to gain a geat sound through out the horn.
It's possible you may need to change mouthpieces, reeds, the ligiture, and maybe the actual clarinet. Don't replace the clarinet until you find one that speaks well fo you.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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