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 Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: glupaya 
Date:   2011-01-08 18:52

Hello-I just started playing this tiny ...well, I guess I can't use foul language on here!! I have a sort of love/hate relationship with this instrument.
I've been playing about six months, and am starting to get more comfortable in the altissimo range....EXCEPT for the E. It is terrible. I really never know what note (or screech) is going to come out. What is up with that? Am I just crazy?

I should mention I have only played Bb before this (for many years), and so I am just using the same fingerings that I know and love already. But, I am starting to notice that the fingerings that I use on the Bb in the altissimo are not the ones I am finding I like best on the Eb. Are there better/different fingerings for altissimo on the Eb? Where would I find these?

Thanks!
PS I have a lovely Leblanc Noblet Artist model, if that matters at all.

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2011-01-08 19:09

Hmm. Last time I tried the E Altissimo on my Bundy, it sounded fine, and was fine using the Bb fingerings. However, I played around with my pinkies a bit and there are subtle changes with different resonance fingerings (pinky on Ab/Eb, pinky on F/C etc), so you may want to experiment a bit - each clarinet behaves a bit different "up there", as does every reed/mouthpiece combination. And, do concentrate on proper and conscious articulation. I learned that the hard way when I slid down from Bb to bass.

And, to state the obvious - make sure your instrument is in good repair, and have someone else try it. If the other player has the "Foul E" as well, it's the instrument, else...

--
Ben

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: glupaya 
Date:   2011-01-08 19:14

Thanks for the reply...letting someone else try it is a great idea!

I have a great guy that set up my Eb and we upgraded the pads & springs & such so it's in decent shape.
Let me just say that I am sure the majority of the problem is in fact, me, but I guess the E is WORSE than how bad I am at all of the other altissimo notes :)

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: salzo 
Date:   2011-01-08 19:20

Try fingering the traditional high E, senza thumb hole.

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2011-01-08 23:11

Two obvious tests: Have someone else try it, and try someone else's.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: William 
Date:   2011-01-09 16:06

Try playing the E6 using: trXXX/000 w/lh Ab key opened with 1st finger.

Confused?? This is simply the normal G5 with the throat key Ab opened. Usually produces a real nice E6, especially useful in wide interval leaps.

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: Ed Palanker 
Date:   2011-01-09 17:03

High E is usually played the same way on both clarinets, there really aren't any real good alternatives and you should not be having this problem unless something is wrong with the clarinet or you are simply, not so simple, voicing it too high or pinching. I have several fingerings on my chart in my website but as I said, the regular fingering should work equally well on both. You might try adding a "half" hole to the top hole in the left hand to add resistance to see if that helps. Also try with or without the pinky Eb in the right hand. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: Grabnerwg 
Date:   2011-01-10 04:00

I have found that the E is the easiest altissimo note to play. What is your experience with F, F#, and G?

The normal fingering for E should work well in most occasions, unless like Eddie says, you are voicing incorrectly.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World Class Clarinet Mouthpieces

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: Ebclarinet1 
Date:   2011-01-10 20:23

Try overblowing the G#( On top of the G clef) and do not add the RH Eb/G# key. This works every time for me. Very useful in jumps too although it takes a bit of getting accustomed to.

Plan B is to add the RH sliver key to the normal E fingering. The flutes are going sharp on these notes so it is an easy fix when you're trying to match them.

Eefer guy

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: Clarinet&Alto15 
Date:   2011-01-11 02:13

I myself am having strange experiences with the altissimo register on the E-flat. The instrument is a Bundy, in relatively good shape. (It was just repadded.) My problem is, sometimes the altissimo ( D and above) are so flat, that in order to produce the desired tone, I have to finger it as though it were a half step higher. For instance, on occasion, the only way for me to get a relatively in-tune E is to finger F natural. Since Im relatively new at it, though, it could just be me. Anyone else have an experience like that?

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2011-01-11 02:23

Pete Hadcock, the Eb clarinetist of the Boston Symphony, wrote two essential books: Orchestral Studies for the E-flat Clarinet http://www.vcisinc.com/clarinetmusicexcerpts.htm#C036 and The Working Clarinetist http://www.vcisinc.com/clarinet.htm#C043. You should absolutely have both of them.

The first book has a collection of Eb alternative fingerings.

Ken Shaw

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 Re: Eb clarinet-altissimo
Author: BG 2017
Date:   2011-01-14 03:06

For the altissimo "E natural," try using the regular fingering, but use the right hand pinkie F/C key instead of the Ab/Eb key. It should raise the pitch some, but you will have to determine if it is enough. Hope that helps!

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