 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2014-05-18 00:55
I just bought a new A clarinet about a month ago and have been slowly breaking it in. Although I can get a nice sound, I still feel lessthan comfortable when playing it. It feels like I have to work a lot harder with my air than I do when I'm playing Bb. I know that it's not a problem with the horn or my embrochure as I've had my teacher look at both very closely. I'm wondering if anyone has any useful advice or excersises that will help me adjust to playing A clarinet.
Thanks in advance
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Author: BbMajorBoy
Date: 2014-05-18 01:39
I had the same problem.
I would suggest playing everything on your A. Obviously not when playing with others. But when you do this, when you go back to the Bb, it will feel easier. You'll also get more control over your air.
For me, playing Tenor Sax made my Alto playing better because I was used to going beyond the air support usually needed. Playing Bass clarinet, made me a better soprano player.
Have you ever played bass? I think that might be good for you.
Good Luck
Leonard Bernstein: "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-05-18 02:40
I have the Amati Klaslice full Boehm Bb & A and find no difference in the feel or playing of these.
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Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2014-05-18 02:40
Thanks for your advice. I've definitely noticed how easy Bb feels after I play A for a while. And I've only done a small amount of bass, nothing serious
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2014-05-18 02:44
"and find no difference in the feel or playing of these".
Except that the A seems to be a touch easier in the high range and the Eb/Ab RH key is usually not needed from high D upwards.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2014-05-18 03:21
I do all my practise on my A just because i do find that it needs a bit more "oomph" to play.
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2014-05-18 06:19
I was having trouble playing A clarinet, after spending a whole day with it and getting to know it, it plays great.
AAAClarinet
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2014-05-22 20:14
Start on your A and play the written pitch scales on the A as well as the B flat, it will help your little fingers get used to the extra length and the slightly lower position of the right elbow and wrist. Play some easier etudes and rep that's not normally for A clarinet on the A, again, to get used to the longer instrument. I do something similar when I get to play E flat (soprano) clarinet, though haven't played that in 10 years.
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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Author: William
Date: 2014-05-23 18:47
Some of us are lucky to have found a pair of Bb and A clarinets that plays with the same resistance--in other words, "matched" set. My set is a vintage R13 A and a 1990's Leblanc Concerto Bb that was worked on by Tom Ridenour. Regardless of being different brands, they play exactly alike as far as resistance is concerned. Like any two instruments, each has its individual intonation issues but you just learn to listen and adjust.
For you, the answer may have already been given by others--practice your A until it feels good for you. A few years ago, I spent an entire year playing the Baermann scale studies on another R13 A and learned to control its resistance. Also, playing the bass clarinet more often seemed to help make playing all of my other woodwinds a lot easier. After all, the "bottom line" in playing a wind instrument is........[drum roll, please]......BREATH SUPPORT.
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