 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Karen Harker
Date: 1999-03-26 02:15
I recently purchased a decent Bb clarinet, and I am finally able to make a few sounds. I had played the oboe for years, but decided I wanted a different sound.
I am working in the Langenus book, but I am wanting to focus on playing ragtime, swing and klezmer music (I think the years of oboe-ing in the classical world have drained me).
I am able to play the notes in the chalemeau register with clarity and control, but the lower clarion register and bridging the gap have been giving me trouble. I inevitably have a pause from the time I start the note (whether tonguing or not) and the time the note appears. I have tried adjusting my emboucher and opening my throat, and flattening my chin (boy do I squeak!), but at best I get a minimal delay. I also am often able to get the upper register easier than the clarion register. Any advise for working in this register?
Also, I need some advise on tonguing. I learned to tongue on the oboe by lightly touching the hole of the reed. I am trying to lightly brush the clarinet reed. Is that the best way for most notes?
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-03-26 03:25
There are several possibilities on the lower clarion.
1. Every beginner on the clarinet has difficulty getting the right hand holes completely covered when they cross into the clarion. Doesn't seem to cause a problem in the chalumeau but it can cause delays and squeaks in the clarion. SLOW steady practice eventually solves this.
2. Extra breath support is required to make this jump cleanly. Try this exercise. Play the chalumeau note, then while continuing to blow, press the register key. At first play loud using lots of air and strong pressure from the abdominal muscles. Then as you get better, work on medium and soft. Even on soft passages the air pressure needs to be strong and well supported.
3. Maybe the spring tension on the touchpieces for the keys operated by the little fingers are too strong. This could prevent those pads from closing completely and thus again squeaks and delays. Or one of the pads is out of adjustment, etc. A technician can adjust it if that is the case. Do you feel like you have to squeeze the horn to get the notes? That's a symptom of this class of problem.
4. If it jumps too easily into the altissimo (i.e. register above the clarion) when you are trying to play clarion, you may have some minute leaks in the upper joint. Again it could be pads slightly out of adjustment or the mechanism out of adjustment.
The standard for tonguing is tip of tongue to tip portion of reed (not on the actual end of the reed though). Look for some books with pictures at your local band instrument store. They are aimed at absolute beginners but the pictures are invaluable for helping some one to switch even if the music is probably not challenging enough for you. I would also recommend Daniel Bonade's "Clarinet Compendium" for a good description of tonguing and hints and tips on technical aspects of playing the clarinet such as clean staccato, etc. While he describes some drills, there are practically none in this book. It is geared towards describing technique.
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-03-26 03:50
As much as you want to do the jazz, it's still better to stay mostly with classical until you are familiar enough with the instrument, You'll know when.
PS Why not play those forms on your oboe?
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Author: avelino
Date: 1999-03-26 06:47
Dear Karen: Excuse me for my bad english but I'd like to give you a very easy excercise to have a nice "EMBOUCHURE"
Try to make a C# with only the moyh piece (with the reed!!) If you close too your mouth the note is higher; and try to blow hot air always.
avelino
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-03-26 16:29
I, too am trying to learn from the Langenus series of books. Though I'm probably not at your level of expertise, feel free to Email me if you have questions or if you want an opinion here or there from a fellow adult novice's viewpoint.
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The Clarinet Pages
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