 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ms.ace
Date: 2013-03-26 19:33
I've been playing clarinet for about 5 years but have only gotten serious within the past 2 or so, anyway I just got a step-up instrument and a new mouthpiece. Ever since I haven't been able to play mid-range notes with fingerings that don't cover many tone holes without sounding incredibly airy (notes like the Bb, A, G, F etc.) Other than these few notes I've been getting fabulous tone and overall sound and I've hade my new gear for a few months now. The horn is a 36 year old Paris made Artist Series 45 Noblet, my mouthpiece is Selmer HS* and I've been using Vandoren 3 1/2's or 4's for reeds. Could this have something to do with these reeds being the wrong type for the mouthpiece or is it my embochure? Thanks
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Author: moma4faith
Date: 2013-03-26 21:30
Are you referring to throat tones, the G, G#, A and Bb in the staff? If so, you may need an alternate fingering to make those notes resonate and play fully. Some play with the right rings down.
Those reeds are pretty stout but that mouthpiece should be able to handle them as long as you are supporting with enough air.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-03-27 00:13
Assuming you mean the "throat" notes, some possibilities:
Check (or, if you don't like taking keys off the instrument yourself, have a tech check) for accumulated dirt, dust or other debris in any of the tone holes near the top of the instrument.
Is the problem worse with #4s than with #3-1/2s? If yes, try a softer reed (#3 of whichever Vandoren you're using) just to check if that improves the tone on those notes without making everything else sound thin and buzzy.
Make sure there's no damage to the mouthpiece rails.
Learning to use "resonance" fingerings has already been suggested. They work well in slow to moderate passage work or sustained notes. If the airiness is apparent even in reasonably fast technical passages, those fingerings can be awkward to use.
It goes without saying that you should always make sure there is no mechanical problem with the clarinet - leaky pads or, more likely in this case, pads that don't open far enough. Have a tech check it if nothing else helps.
If everything else sounds "fabulous," it probably is not an embouchure problem.
Vandoren reeds work with a wide variety of setups - if you're using V12s you might want to try 56 Rue lepics (at #3-1/2 for starters). If you want to try other reeds, #3-1/2 Rico Reserve Classics might work well. I'm sure others will recommend their current favorites. I wouldn't get too hung up on brands and models, but would experiment a little with the strength.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-03-27 02:13
A while back someone brought their Leblanc Sonata to me for a service and the throat notes were very resistant compared to my Leblanc LL - the top joint toneholes had become occluded with fibres which caused the stuffiness. Once cleared (and it's best to have a tech do this so no damage is done), the throat notes spoke as clearly and as easily as they should. Due to the smaller diameter of the top joint toneholes, this accumulation is more pronounced in comparison to the larger toneholes of the lower joint, so more impact is felt with top joint notes in the lower register and especially the throat notes.
When was your clarinet last serviced? If you bought it privately, then it may not have been serviced and this could be your problem.
As well as using reeds that are too strong as they will make the lower register sound very stuffy which is made worse with poor venting and occluded toneholes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-03-27 12:07
It could be the clarinet. Older Leblanc clarinets can tend to be stuffy. They can be improved but not easily.
Steve Ocone
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