 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-01-10 18:30
I am a beginner, trying to get the clarion notes. All goes well for 10 minutes, and then the whole clarinet gums up. Can't get high notes. Can't even get easy low notes. Just totally seized up. If I dry the instrument out a bit, its all OK again for 10 minutes, then it gums up again. I think its spit and I read a thread from 2010, but their problem was bubbly noises. I get no noises. Can't blow thru the reed at all. Grateful for any help.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-01-10 18:38
Could just be a weak embouchure typical of a beginner
Bob Draznik
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-01-10 18:40
Could just be a weak embouchure typical of a beginner
Bob Draznik
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Author: Kaeren
Date: 2012-01-10 19:24
Perhaps while the clarinet is drying it's giving your embouchure a chance to rest.
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-01-10 19:40
Thanks BobD and Kaeren. I just tried using a tiny bit of furniture polish on the underside of the reed, thinking that it might make the spit fall away and so stop the reed fixing itself firmly to the mouth piece. That doesn't work !!
Sucking in sharply seems to help, but only for a few notes.
I agree that most of this is learning how much pressure to put on the reed for every note, and I reckon more and more practice is the only answer, squeaks and all. I turned to the clarinet because I had such difficulty getting over the "break" in a flute - I thought the clarinet might be easier in that respect. Not so !!
Mike S
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Author: Pastor Rob
Date: 2012-01-10 22:48
Perhaps you need a new reed. Probably a littler firmer than you are using now.
Pastor Rob Oetman
Leblanc LL (today)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-01-11 01:40
It could be water getting under a pad (that's covering a closed hole) near the top of the instrument, which might let air escape. Or it might even be a torn pad (again, near the top of the clarinet) that swells from moisture getting into it, which would also cause air to leak through. Any pad that's supposed to be closed that lets air leak out around it will cause problems below it. If a leak is near the top of the instrument, it can disable the whole thing. You'd need to have a repair person look at the clarinet to tell whether an air leak is the problem. You can do a rough test by taking the barrel and the lower section off, close the bottom of the upper section with your right palm and close the holes with the fingers of your left hand. You should feel a reasonably strong suction form if you suck the air out through the top of the section. It helps to wet your fingertips and your right palm a little.
If your reed is much too soft, you could be closing it against the mouthpiece, which would be even easier to do when the reed is soaked. What reed and mouthpiece are you using?
Karl
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2012-01-11 01:56
I second Karl's idea. On one of my clarinets it would play fine for an hour and then start having problems with a certain range of notes. Once it sat and dried out it would play again. I determined which pad it was that was taking on moisture and going out of shape and replaced it and never had that problem again.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: AC0FC
Date: 2012-01-11 02:05
<<Sucking in sharply seems to help, but only for a few notes.>>
Stronger reed or more open mouthpiece.
Don't overlook saliva control. It's noticably different than with a flute.
It along with embouchure will get better with time. (I still remember being embarased when it would flow out of the bell.)
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-01-11 15:55
Very many thanks for all your kind replies. I have tested my clarinet by the Karl method above, and its got very good suction, so no problems there!
AC0FC suggested a more "open" mouthpiece, which I think means more space at the tip between the reed and the edge of the m/piece (?) I am using a Vandoren 1 1/2 reed, and the m/piece is the bog standard one that came with the instrument, which is a Yamaha 630 or it might be 63S (can't read the tiny letters on it). Cheapo clarinet but kids learn on them and tootle away happily - I am old, but not too old to blow as well as a bunch of kids!!
Could AC0FC possibly recommend a mouthpiece/reed combination that would perhaps not stick together when they get wet? I'm sure now that that is the problem.
Again many thanks to you all. And best wishes to the USA from little old Wales.
Mike S
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-01-31 14:06
My problem is that the reed sticks to the mouthpiece after about 10 minutes and I can't get any air in at all ! After all the help above, for which many thanks, I have decided that it is all to do with embouchure and practice, and nothing much to do with the strength of the reed (although a number 2 is better for me than 1 1/2 ) and certainly nothing to do with the "open" nature of the mouthpiece. I think I am not relaxing enough. It will come with practice, I'm sure. New mouthpieces cost about sterling pounds 90-100 in the UK, so I am reluctant to risk failure at that price.
"Onwards and upwards". Thanks for your help.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2012-01-31 19:44
after reading all - i still suggest a stronger reed. my beginners start on 2.5 - 3.
I find the exact same thing you describe when I throw on a light reed. it just sticks to the mouthpiece.
curious to know how long you have been playing?
that would tell me if its an embouchure problem. sometimes adults want to go too fast too soon. as soon as they start making sounds they want to try the higher register but the embouchure isnt ready.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-01-31 20:48
Good mouthpieces of known quality such as the Fobes "Debut" and the Hite "Premier" are readily availabe new in the UK for a lot less than the prices you mention. Have a look on EBay UK, search for 'clarinet mouthpiece" and you'll find plenty.
Tony F.
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-01-31 20:52
Dear Janlynn
You have sussed me out very accurately! I have only been playing for a month or two (having played about with a flute for years, on and off). And I certainly want to proceed too quickly! I can't wait to turn the page, learn one new note, and then have a go at that tune ! And I am certainly adult - in fact, really quite old.
I'll try 2.5 or 3 reeds. I tried a 4, and it felt like a plank in my mouth ! And I will do my best to slow down a bit, and do long notes and everything.
Grateful for any more advice anytime, and thanks again.
MS
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2012-02-01 14:48
MS - send me an email and i would be very happy to help you further.
Janlynn - bostontsabby@yahoo.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-02-01 15:35
This will sound odd, and that's part of the reason I'm bringing it up.
BUT
I've found that my clarinet will completely freeze up if the throat A key fills with water. Makes no sense, I know, but I think it is worth a try to slip a cigarette paper under the throat A pad when you clarinet is acting up and see if that tonehole is wet.
I agree, too, that the modest investment in a Debut or Premier mouthpiece to replace a generic mouthpiece is worth a lot more than the money spent.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2012-02-05 23:45
I wouldn't be putting furniture polish in my mouth... I think the key here is more practice. If you just started 10 mins of solid playing might be all you can do. The break where it's "drying" is probably just giving your mouth a rest.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-02-06 08:39
Thank you, everybody, for your continuing interest in my love-hate relationship with this long black thing covered in bright metal. I think Mr Perrin has got it right - its just more practice. AND, 10 minutes is enough. It IS in fact getting better - very slowly indeed. To JanLynn: I have tried a 3 reed and its too much for my old mouth! To Tony F: I've sent for a Hite mouthpiece to try it out. To Mr Phillips: I don't think its the A key doing it, but I will continue to check on that.
Wouldn't life be great if our only problem was how to get a sound out of a clarinet!!
Mike Skuse
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-02-10 15:08
Sean - No private lessons but a couple of friends who advise me a bit. What I want is a Robotic Clarinet - or a new set of fingers plus a more sensitive mouth ! Latest advice at a local music concert last night is to have a softer reed - no more than 1 1/2. "Quot homines tot sententiae" as we say round here.
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