 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-04-08 23:29
Advice on getting out the altismo notes on the eefer would be apreciated. In context I can't really play above an altismo D, so any tips on playing high intune would be good. Thank you
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Author: 2E
Date: 2011-04-09 05:54
I'd recommend lots of practice with a tuner, a fingering chart and an experienced teacher/player. I learn from a professional associate principal who is always playing Eb, and the advice he offers is always spot on. Perhaps contact the local pro orchestra's associate clarinettist for a one off Eb lesson and ask about good intonation fingerings?
Other than that, just practice.
2E.
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Author: William
Date: 2011-04-09 14:23
I play a Yamaha 681 effer with excellant altissimo intonation--nothing that cannot be easily lipped into tune using conventional fingerings. This also may be a result of using a Fobes extention and a vintage Selmer HS* mouthpiece--I'm not sure. But most pro eb clarinetists have their own set of alternate fingerings for those high notes and you just have to learn what works best for your instrument, like they all did. I'm lucky and just use the "everyday" ones and lip to match the ensemble. Like with any musical instrument--and especially, the clarinets--you are always "playing by ear" to play in tune.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-04-09 14:58
I heard an Eb player tell a class once that you play Eb clarinet by ear. With that said, if you can't play above a D it's either that you're using the wrong mouthpiece - reed combination for you or you're doing something wrong with your embouchure or voicing. There could also be something not sealing well on your clarinet in the upper joint. It would be wise to seek out a pro player with experience on Eb playing and take a lesson.
I'm a bass and Bb player by profession but I have played, and own a very good Eb clarinet and once had to play a high G# in tune with another instrument but was always flat so I played my high A a little relaxed and it came out a perfect G#, well at least in tune. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-04-09 15:08
It's most likely my voicing because on my Bb I can only reach a double hi A if I'm lucky a B, the equivalent of that on the Eb would be the first altissimo D. My tutor is a wonderful Bb player and doubles on every woodwind instrument. I've worked with him before a year ago on the Eb but he said my instrument was so bad he'd suggest I put it off until I get a better one. Now having the 681 I feel I'm ready
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2011-04-09 16:42
Being able to play Eb in the altissimo (often very loud) is really critical to the rationale for the instrument.
First you need to provide lots of air support. Practice playing with a big, loud sound (but still a nice tone) while maintaining a firm (not biting) embouchure.
Second, a stronger reed will help in the altissimo, but not until you can handle it by strengthening your embouchure. Once you have learned to voice the altissimo (see below) you will be better able to achieve the desired results with softer reeds.
Third, a good mouthpiece (i.e., one that can play loud, in tune and really speak in the altissimo) is essential. For years I played on a 5RV (which was a bit thin) and then switched to a Kanter Eb which I played for years in the San Diego Symphony. I've tried the Vandoren B44 (which IMHO is not a good choice), but recently switched to a Ben Redwine Zinner (1.05 opening) which for me is the best I've ever played. It gives a big, round sound and plays in the altissimo louder and more easily than any others I've tried. I've also heard very good things about the Fobes and Smith mouthpieces.
Fourth, voicing is essential to playing the Eb. One way to learn this is to practice playing 12ths (e.g., low C - upper G, D-A, E-B, F-C, etc.) on your Bb without using the register key. You need to focus/speed-up the airstream and "aim" the airstream at a higher angle than you would when you are playing in the low register. When you can get the 12ths to speak by voicing alone (i.e., without any tongue/pressure articulation or movement of the instrument or fingers), you can try this exercise on the Eb. Since the altissimo is essentially 12ths above the clarion tones, once you have the feeling of, and control over, voicing these 12ths it will make the Eb altissimo much easier.
Fifth, few Effers play in tune in the altissimo. As others have noted you need to practice playing the instrument in tune. In the altissimo, this often means alternative fingerings or embochure/air adjustments. It's good to know fingerings that are a little sharp because when you are playing FF-FFF, there will be a tendency for the pitch to drop.
Finally, Peter Hadcock's books are great. One should own both, but his Eb book (which I seem to have mislaid) is essential to playing this beast, er, instrument well.
Good luck!
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-04-09 17:21
Bob -
I halfway agree.
For the Eb orchestral solos that emphasize the instrument's raunchy side (Symphonie Fantastique, Shostakovich 5th, Til Eulenspiegel), playing loud is essential.
In a band, it's exactly the opposite. You're not a soloist. The concertmaster is still the 1st chair Bb player. It's far too easy to shriek and squeal on Eb. You need to play softer than you think. You're there to add some sparkle to the basic clarinet section sound -- listen hard to the 1st clarinets and blend in with them.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2011-04-09 17:49
Ken
Point taken. I was thinking mostly of orchestral situations and I've not played Eb in a concert/symphonic band per se.
I have played Eb in the San Diego Clarinet Choir and as you say you need to blend with the section. Many of our arrangements are written by Charlie MacLeod (former principal clarinet of the San Diego Symphony) and he writes some of the most difficult Eb parts I've ever played. He often has the Eb play [along with] the solo line, typically in the altissimo and usually p-mp. It's really challenging to play in tune with a lyric sound/style is these situations. Perhaps this is more like the situation in concert/symphonic band.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Wes
Date: 2011-04-09 17:54
Excellent advice in the above posts!
Like the Bb clarinet, the mouthpiece is critical for playing the altissimo. The tip rail and the tip area of the mouthpiece must be made properly to get the very high notes out. The reed should meet all parts of the tip rail simultaneously when it comes down to the tip. This is difficult to see or to test but a little bit off can prevent those high notes from sounding. The width of the tip rail and the near side rails is also important. One can expect to find an octave high C on the Eb clarinet with a very good mouthpiece and a #3 Vandoren reed.
Playing with the piccolo player can really be a challenge as they often play too sharp and they often seem to find it difficult to hear what they are playing.
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Author: Dori
Date: 2011-04-09 19:27
Wes wrote:
> Playing with the piccolo player can really be a challenge as
> they often play too sharp and they often seem to find it
> difficult to hear what they are playing.
A piccolo player told me she has to use earplugs when she practices some of the higher notes. Even she wonders why there is an instrument, and music written for it, that is so potentially painful.
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Author: Bb R13 greenline
Date: 2011-04-09 20:57
i tried an alternate fingering for the altissimo E (Lh Ab/G# key XXXOOO) and it the hi E came out pretty good and once i could get the hi E i could easily hit the altissimo D :]
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Author: William
Date: 2011-04-10 15:24
Just want to add, with my Selmer HS* (1960 vintage) effer mouthpiece, I use a Winslow lig and am having great success with cut down Forestone #4 Bb reeds. I can effortlessly hit the A6 every time with the conventional fingering. Intonation on my Yamaha 681 is also pretty good--especially with the alternate E6 given above (although the regular fingering is usually tunable with minimal effort). I attribute this "luck" to a great mouthpiece and not so much to the brand of reed or (certainly) my effer ability--which gets only frequent playing time. Mostly, I play A, Bb, C clarinets parts or bass. If you want to play in tune and have good range, find the right mouthpiece, put an acceptable reed on it (I like cut down Bb reeds) and develop your ear.
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2011-04-13 04:42
A lot of times, when playing Eb, people try to play reeds that are too soft.
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