 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: music-in-my-sol
Date: 2016-05-20 06:05
Hi! As of late, my clarinet has been squeaking (or, more accurately, chirping obnoxiously) when I play over-the-break B, C, D, and E. I've taken my clarinet into my local music store and I'm getting the pads checked and replaced (as necessary) as of right now. I figured, it could help my situation, and if not, it was about time I get my pads checked anyhow. The store gave me a loaner clarinet to play in the interim (Artley instrument). Unfortunately, I still appear to be getting a similar squeaking in the same range! I've tried switching reeds, to no avail. Could it be my mouthpiece, ligature, or amount of air I'm using? Something else? I've never been a squeaky clarinet, certainly not in this manner, so I'm sure you can imagine how much this frustrates me. Any suggestions are welcome!
instrument: Buffet Bb clarinet
mouthpiece: Hite 111 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
reed: Vandoren 3
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-05-20 06:39
Does it happen only when you cross the break, or does it also chirp when you start one of those notes fresh? If it happens when you cross the break, does it happen only when you slur over the break, only when you tongue over the break or both?
It could be your mouthpiece. Look for any imperfection in the tip rail - any small nick could cause this result.
It could be your fingers not completely covering any of several tone holes when you move from the throat register to the notes you name.
I had a serious chirping problem at one time as a student, but it only happened when I started notes with my tongue. It was, almost certainly, caused by some slight squeezing movement in my jaw when I tongued. I solved it, not by directly finding the problem, but by switching to double lip which stabilized my embouchure so whatever was happening in my embouchure stopped happening. But that may not have been the same problem you're experiencing if slurring over the break triggers the chirp.
Karl
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Author: music-in-my-sol
Date: 2016-05-20 07:30
It can happen at any point, really–slurring up over the break, tonguing over the break, or starting the notes fresh/in repetition. I'll have to check my mouthpiece and try different adjustments to my embouchure and see if that helps. Thanks for the suggestions!
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2016-05-20 07:53
Besides the possibility of some rh fingers not closing holes properly, you might be opening some key. I had a problem for a time with my right index finger brushing the bottom right hand trill key. This started to happen because I'd gradually altered my hand position without realizing it. I didn't even feel my finger brushing the key until the audible blips it caused demanded attention.
A mirror might reveal something to you.
If it is a finger problem, one would expect similar symptoms in the lower register on E, F, etc. Since you don't report that, then maybe you have picked up some little jaw movement for the problem range. It's very easy to unconsciously do such a thing. Again, a mirror might reveal something.
I can never stop typing when it gets this late, so I'll add one more thing. A way to spot the cause of an intermittent problem is to deliberately try to do the thing, make the problem repeat, and get so you can make it happen every time. Then when you realize what you're doing, well, don't do it any more.
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Author: music-in-my-sol
Date: 2016-05-20 07:57
Thank you! It's very possible that I could be having a problem with brushing up on other keys, not closing on them entirely, or, again, an embouchure/jaw issue. I'll try out some variations in how I play and monitor the changes against how I normally play when I squeak. Thanks for your suggestions!
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-05-20 09:13
When you squeak, try to freeze your hands at that exact point. Then, carefully analyse your finger positioning, mentally checking each finger for contact with other keys. This is best done before a mirror and under a strong light. Since you're getting the problem on 2 instruments using the same mouthpiece then I'd consider that the most likely source of the trouble. Check the tip rail for any damage or distortion and the side rails for nicks and gouges.
Tony F.
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Author: music-in-my-sol
Date: 2016-05-21 05:40
Thank you all for your advice! After observing all of my practicing techniques, along with all the suggestions posted, I think the main source of my problem is in my embouchure. When I shift to upper register and when I make an attack on these notes, there's a tension in my embouchure that disappears as I sustain the note. This explains why I have problems hearing a quick squeak that disappears as the note continues. I'm monitoring my embouchure carefully and making the necessary adjustments to avoid the troublesome tension that brought on my problem. Thank you all, again, for your help!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-05-21 08:58
Good advice above. Check the mouthpiece rails and the tip. Are there any nicks or dings? If you are unsure take a photo and post it.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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