 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JuanMorales
Date: 2014-08-15 22:27
okay so ive been given the job of playing a solo and major work on Eb the piece is called Til Eulenspigel for those familiar it is pretty high and i am having a lot of trouble with the consistency of the upper range any tips.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-08-15 23:38
First, although you've probably been given the right part, make sure your music is for Eb clarinet and not D clarinet (which is the original part). It's a formidable part with a big solo near the end, when Til is finally judged guilty and hanged. You may need to experiment with fingerings for the top notes of the solo.
Karl
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-08-15 23:46
These are the most valuable things I've learned during this past year while playing the Eb. Hopefully, you're using a professional model. The better the clarinet, the better the uppermost notes play. I traded a plastic Bundy for a LeBlanc pro...what a difference!!! Learn the alternate fingerings for Eb (track down a copy of The Working Clarinetist: Master Classes with Peter Hadcock). Forget those Eb reeds...go with Bb reeds and cut off just enough of the "butt" so it fits on your mpc. (Learned that from Jessica Phillips.) Use stiffer reeds than you use with your Bb. Be gentle:) Keep the back of your tongue way high on the highest notes to keep them in tune. Can't think of any other "ta da's" that I've had. Best of luck. I LOVE playing the Eb and look for every opportunity! Oh, and watch the youtube videos created by Jessica Phillips for tips on how to play the Eb well!
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2014-08-16 03:04
Look for Peter Hadcock's book - it has a part written out for Eb and all the fingerings you will need.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-08-16 17:08
Use a twig trimmer to trim the back of a Bb clarinet reed. You can get one for a few bucks at any hardware store or nursery. Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc.
One of the most important things is having a mouthpiece you're comfortable with. It might be very different from the one you use on Bb clarinet. Becasuse it's so much small you will probably take more of it in your mouth so if you can, try a few out. Using a harder reed is not always the answer because it can be far to hard to control but using a too soft reed won't work either. You have to find the reed that fits the mouthpiece, it's that simple, but not simple. Take as much mouthpiece in your mouth as is comfortable and experiment a little. Yes, good fingerings help too. I have a good fingering chart on my website for Bb clarinet but many of them work great on the Eb too. It's a matter of finding what works best for you. There is no strict rule.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: William
Date: 2014-08-16 20:55
In the fwiw section, I use a vintage Selmer HS* effer mouthpiece with cut-down Bb reeds and have good results on those high notes you are probably talking about. My reeds (Forestones) are probably comparable to a V12 3.5, which is medium hard. If the reed fits your mouthpiece and works efficiently, that's the answer to "how stiff?". My Eb clarinet is a Yamaha 612 and my lig is a Winslow sop sax model--6-pin config. I also use a Fobes extention which makes transitions between registers a bit smoother and improves intonation a bit. My back-up effer is a Bundy Resonite which, when not in use, serves well as a tent stake on camping trips......LOL. They are truly, indestructible. But it does play well enough for outside gigs.......good luck. Effer playing can be the most fun with a good reed and mouthpiece.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2014-08-17 01:37
Good secure embouchure, solid air support and good voicing are key. As mentioned above, it is very important to match the reed. I would not say that an Eb needs a stronger reed, but merely the right reed. If one goes too hard it is often necessary to bite more and it is difficult to play with good control or any subtlety. Too soft and the high notes are hard to get as the reed chokes off. I don't necessarily find that Bb reeds are the best. I have found many standard Eb reeds that have better response and balanced tone. As a compromise the Vandore White Masters are a little narrower than standard Bb reeds and can work well on some mouthpieces.
The Hadcock Eb books a gem and has lots of great tips and alternate fingerings, especially on this solo.
It is important to spend time with the instrument to get used to it and it's quirks. Spend time as you would on Bb, doing warm ups, scales, etc. to get comfortable playing it.
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