 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: EaubeauHorn
Date: 2015-06-20 18:44
My winter digs are at 2500 feet in the desert. My summer digs are at 8000 feet in the desert. The air is thinner up here, and my tone is AWFUL. Thin, strident, and...what can I do about it? I am still pretty much a beginner but was getting a decent tone down below. Up here it stinks. Given the lesser density of the air, the only thing I can think of is use more air to get the same sound, but maybe also a lower number reed?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-21 01:20
Could it also be that it FEELS like you're putting in the same amount of effort, but it's really not the same amount of air? I did a few gigs in Denver some time back but I don't really recall what the effect was on the sound. I guess things were ok.
I have heard though that the REEDS prepared at one altitude will not be so compatible with the new altitude. Make sure you work up a new batch of reeds!
.............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2015-06-21 02:44
For me old reeds (as in, reeds that have almost died) seem to work at high altitudes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-06-21 03:27
This seems to tie into the "playing in space" thread. Spacecraft, and aircraft, are not pressurized to sea level, I just looked up that the 767 is 6900 feet. Humidity might also be an issue. Anybody have regular "mile high" gigs?
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-06-21 05:31
I'd be curious to hear if anyone has a lot of experience with low altitude vs. high altitude playing and has noticed a difference. I'm headed to Tanglewood tonight, and since it's at a higher elevation, I'm hoping the altitude change won't mess with my reeds/air too much.
Post Edited (2015-06-21 05:32)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2015-06-21 07:20
I have played marches on July 4 in Summerhaven (which may be where you escape to) with the Tucson Concert Band for about 10 years (we are the warm-up act for a small town parade), and I have never noticed a difference in my or the band's tone.
For those who are not familiar with Southern Arizona in the summer, count your blessings. It is usually 30 - 40 degrees cooler in Summerhaven (elevation 8200 ft) than in Tucson.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JHowell
Date: 2015-06-21 07:48
Don't despair, you'll get used to it. The thinner air affects tone and pitch, but over time you will adapt and will select needs that work. And when you go back to lower altitude you'll feel like you just got a turbo. You'll think you sound GREAT, and you will be able to play longer phrases.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
