 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Steve
Date: 1999-04-03 19:15
Hi, everyone!
I just resumed playing my clarinet regularly after a nine-year hiatus and I've noticed that I now have a rather breathy tone that I don't remember from before. You know what I mean: when playing softly, there's a sound of rushing air in the background that doesn't have any relation to the pitch I'm playing. Is this a problem with my reed (I had to switch to ML-3's from my old ML 5 1/2's)? My mouthpiece seems to have a lot of "play," that is I can tilt it forward or back in the barrel, which can't be good for the tone, either (any recommendations on a new one?). Or is it just an embouchure thing that will go away as the muscles firm up? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 1999-04-03 19:40
While you do need to get that cork replaced it is probably not the cause of the breathines. It is probably a combination of embouchure and breath support. Even playing softly, the air must still supplied to the instrument at a very high pressure.
People sometimes experience breathy sounding notes for a while when going from a softer to a harder reed as their breath support hasn't "caught up" yet. It would be unlikely to occur going from hard to soft.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-04-04 04:10
After a nine year layoff, its entirely possible that you need to drop back another half rating on the reeds. And yes, get the cork on that mouthpiece replaced. You can order synthetic cork from woodwind and brasswind. I used some on my good horn a few months back an its holding up quite well.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Crystal
Date: 1999-04-05 22:19
It sounds like the previous two gave you good advice about your breath support etc. I took a two year hiatus and then started working at a music store and of course couldn't not be playing. When I first started back up I tried ML-3 and liked them, but someone ordered ML-premium 3's and then didn't pick them up from my store. So, I tried them and love them. They seem to be a bit softer at the tip than the regular 3's but they give a great tone. This could even help your breathyness!!
Just make sure they are the premium ones that come in a copper box not the gold box.
Crystal
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-04-06 20:20
I have to agree with Dee. It's very easy to create a lot of boistrous noise with the clarinet, especially in the high clarion and altissimo range. The real trick is to control the air support for the entire range of the horn, from low chalemeau, all the way to as high as you can reliably go in the alstissimo. Typically, the higher note and the softer you play it, the more air support you will need to "carry it". As mentioned in the postings above, try backing off a strength or two in order to give yourself time to adjust to playing the clarinet again. You might also find that a reed brand/style/strength that you loved years ago just isn't what you like today. The reed didn't change, you did.
Take the time to slowly warm up every time you play. Blow long, low tones for several minutes. Then, starting at the low chalemeau, try working yourself up to where you are comfortable in the high clarion or perhaps the altissimo register - but take your time in the warm-up getting there. You will do your horn and yourself a great favor gradually warming up. You may even surprise yourself at how well you can support the notes with plenty of air and with a solid embouchure.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
