 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SRK
Date: 2014-10-21 01:03
Hello everyone.
Every time I try to slur from C in the middle of the staff to C below the staff (from clarion to chalumeau) instead I get a G above the staff (same fingering except for the register key). This doesn't happen almost at all if I tongue and play softly. Am I applying too much pressure or what could be the reason for this? I've read that the amount of pressure should be consistent but if I do not change the pressure of my embouchure on the mouthpiece or decrease the air flow I don't see how this could be possible?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-21 04:17
But you DO change the air flow. You require MORE air (and more FOCUSED air) in the next higher octave, so you should out of necessity use LESS as you go down to the lower octave. Yes, skipping down is a bit more challenging, but I'd practice moving from the "G" sitting on the staff down to the "C" below the staff over and over FIRST (actually try this interval WITHOUT THE OCTAVE KEY for the best results). Once the feel and sound of that is smooth and easy, try the intended interval.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: tims
Date: 2014-10-21 05:24
C below the staff is a very stable note. My guess is a small leak in a trill key or a leak anywhere in the top half of the upper joint is at fault. This will act like your register key and stimulate harmonic node and keep the note in the second register. Check your register key also. If the pad is hard or the key doesn't move freely (is there any feel of friction) or the spring is too light then it may not close quickly or solidly enough. If it only occurs when you are playing loud, then you may be blowing a key open. Again check spring tension.
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2014-10-21 05:50
I've heard some players say you're supposed to keep the airflow and embouchure the same when you play. But my belief is that's not always true. I believe that when you're slurring a big interval, you have to "lip" it like a brass player to get the second note to come out cleanly.
Agree or disagree?
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Author: qualitycontrol
Date: 2014-10-21 07:28
Slurs down to the chalumeau become harder as they go deeper into that register, and it's good to learn to master them.
A good exercise I use for warmup and to develop this skill is to play from C to B slurred, followed by a staccato B, and then B slurred to C followed by a staccato C. This makes for a two triplet pattern, both two slurred one staccato. After this, you slur down to Bb, and then to A, Ab, G and so on and so forth, but always back up to clarion C. Go down as low as you can go and you'll probably find that if you approach the slur down to C slowly (by chromatically going down) you'll find it quite easy, you'll just need to remember how your positioning your tongue and pushing your air through the horn to keep it easy when you have to do it on the spot.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-21 12:52
Ya know, I also like "tims" suggestion that there may be a leak. A usual candidate is the pad just between the first and second fingers of the left hand. This could also be as simple as the second finger ring being adjusted too high (finger doesn't seal the tone hole), or too low (pad doesn't fully close).
.............Paul Aviles
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