 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jrain54
Date: 2016-04-09 05:58
Hi all,
I have been playing clarinet for just over 5 years now and have recently started playing in the altissimo register of the clarinet. I printed out a fingering chart and noticed that the fingering for altissimo E is the same as the fingering of altissimo A. I can now manage to play both notes by just a slight adjustment of my embouchure.
I have also noticed sometimes that when I play notes (usually in band when the piece is super fast and there's not much room to breathe) they'll come out as a really high note, and if it's a run, I'll be playing the correct fingering for the notes I want but they'll all come out as other super high pitched notes - but not a squeak.
Today when I was playing, I played a G (no fingers down) and with a slight change of embouchure I played a different, very high note. I got out my tuner out and discovered it was an altissimo D - in perfect pitch.
I have googled about this and have come across this site:
http://wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/cl_bas_3.html
which addresses the Boehm system for the clarinet, which I think is just alternate fingerings for the same note(?), rather than different notes that can be played with the same fingering....
So basically I am wondering if anyone can explain what/how/why this is, and whether there are players out there who use this function of the clarinet, or whether it's just some weird thing that happens..?
Also, is there a way to learn how to control it better so that in band I don't burst out with crazy high notes by mistake even though my fingering didn't intend for those notes? :P
Thank you, I look forward to a response :D!!
-Jess
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-04-09 06:20
You have stumbled upon the overtone series (and everything that makes the clarinet work). That is a very good "D" to have in your hip pocket for really fast passages. I think it is a good thing that you can get those notes so easily (even if they appear sometimes when you don't want them). It should be a matter of just making sure you don't put too much air on the lower note that you really want.
A friend of mine actually rarely uses the octave key on Eb clarinet at all.
You will come to realize more about the tuning compromises of the clarinet if you really listen to what is going on between chalumeau and clarion without the octave key. Then you see what happens with it, and it just expands your musical vocabulary.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2016-04-09 06:49
Alternate fingerings are part of clarinet technique. They facilitate execution of particular note sequences, trills, intonation of certain notes, good tone at particular dynamics, etc. In altissimo, fingerings normally reflect the note being one of the overtones of a lower note (often with some extra keys to improve intonation.)
There's some good explanations of the clarinet overtones on this board and elsewhere. For example, http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=19719&t=19595
There's also some Youtube videos on the topic of clarinet overtones.
It's worth spending some time playing overtones and experimenting with alternate fingerings. It can help your altissimo, fingering facility, and overall sound.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2016-04-09 08:16
I agree with Philip's comments about improving your altissimo, fingering facility, and overall sound by practicing overtones. Sax players do these types of overtone exercises all the time (often without using the octave key at all), but it's a bit different on clarinet since clarinets overblow at the twelfth.
In addition to the open D, you can also play an E with the A key and an F with the A key/register key B-flat fingering. They may not be the best fingerings for regular use, but they can be a great part of a warm up routine.
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Author: ned
Date: 2016-04-09 11:46
Paul Aviles wrote...''A friend of mine actually rarely uses the octave key...''
Paul,
Is there a particular reason you refer to the register key as an ''octave'' key? You may be tending to confuse younger players.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-04-09 14:44
As for altissimo E and A with the same LH fingers down, use the RH Ab/Eb key for the E and use either the RH F/C or the RH F#/C# key for the A.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-04-09 16:09
Sorry, you caught me. That is not a preference, it is merely a habit.
I hope for all our sakes that I don't also pick my nose in public :-)
Oh, and on what Chris said, you can just use one of those vent options for one (the A .....perhaps) and not use any vent for the other (if you're toggling back and forth that is).
..................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2016-04-09 16:11)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-04-09 16:28
The altissimo A is in fact a very, very flat Bb if you go by the expected physics of the instrument but not the practical outcome - so flat that it's now a well tuned A.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2016-04-09 19:56
Interesting comment, Chris, something I never thought about before.
I suppose it might be possible to play the altissimo A with the thumb F and register key. Since the odd numbered harmonics in the harmonic series are the ones that are really heard, this note would be the fifth harmonic in the series beginning with thumb F. In theory it could work, but in practice, it's a different story.
Because all the harmonics are heard on a saxophone, experienced performers are able to play bugle calls without moving any fingers, although my sax skills are not at that level.
Post Edited (2016-04-09 19:58)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-04-10 04:36
Quote:
Because all the harmonics are heard on a saxophone, experienced performers are able to play bugle calls without moving any fingers, although my sax skills are not at that level. You can do this on clarinet too. Play a B (second register, all fingers down) and you can manipulate enough harmonics to play bugle calls as well. Some harmonics of course come out easier than others, but it's a great challenge and exercise!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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