 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-11-30 21:37
Hello, I have recently rented a Clarinet so I could start learning it, I don't have a teacher as they are very expensive thus I cannot afford lessons. When using only the mouthpiece and barrel I get a very squawky sound (kind of like a duck), I made sure that my embochure was correct (lips covering lower teeth, upper teeth bite and seal the holes ion the sides with my lips), I tried putting the mouthpiece in my mouth in many different positions (all of them made the same sound). When I try making a sound on the clarinet I get a much better sounds but it is a very fuzzy one (resembles a Saxophone), I tried cleaning it multiple times as I heard spit makes this sound but after a few seconds the sound returned. Does anyone has insight to this problem?
Thank you for reading and have a great day
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-11-30 22:37
Your embouchure isn't developed, so the tone will be unsupported and buzzy at the beginning.
Don't expect to get a good tone with just the mouthpiece or the mouthpiece and barrel - it's the tone you get on the assembled instrument that's important.
See if you can get an online teacher posting instruction videos on YouTube or live lessons via Skype as then they can see and hear what you're doing in real time and also advise you too.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-11-30 23:06
I have seen many instruction videos on embouchure and I've been learning from them. I will wait a few weeks to see if there is any improvement in the tone before I consult a teacher.
Thank you very much for the reply and have a nice day!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-11-30 23:48
Matarkrv wrote:
> I have seen many instruction videos on embouchure and I've been
> learning from them. I will wait a few weeks to see if there is
> any improvement in the tone before I consult a teacher.
Consulting a teacher sooner rather than later can save a lot of frustrating, unproductive effort. You'll go down many blind alleys on your own. You don't need to start a long-term relationship. Even one lesson with someone experienced in starting new clarinetists can save you lots of of wasted time.
Online videos can be useful, but without feedback on your own playing you have no frame of reference to judge your own result.
Fuzzy tone can be caused by poor reed choice or poor mouthpiece quality. Without knowledgeable input, you have no way of knowing at your level of experience what in your setup may be causing any given problem. And anything anyone offers in answer to questions here is a guess - because we can't hear you. We can only react to the question as you frame it.
Do you have experience playing any other instrument? That could make a huge difference. Are you still in school or an adult?
Karl
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-12-01 05:12
A ducky tone can also be due to wrong tongue position. Try pronouncing the syllable "Heeee" (as in He and She). The upper sides of the tongue will be touching your upper back teeth.
I can scrunch my embouchure around a lot and still not alter my sound much ...
A known good MP and reed combination, such as a Vandoren 5RV-lyre and a Legere Classic #3 should produce a good sound, if you are doing other things mostly correctly.
Tom
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-12-01 08:37
if you look at the website
playwithapro.com
you can buy video lessons, and there is a series of 4.5 hours of lessons from a teacher Adam Simonsen, that I viewed and thought were excellent at explaining the basics. I think the cost was $25, and of course, you can watch them over and over again.
I found this website by accident, but so far have viewed Lee Morgans videos and Simonises, and have been very impressed.
There are a couple of others as well. Definitely worth the money.
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-01 18:31
I am still a high school student in my last year. My only experiance in music is playing the Chromatic Harmonica for half a year.The clarinet I rented was used, which might explain it if the mouthpiece is not in great condition, but my reeds are brand new.
I will try to get a lesson in a few weeks but I can't really afford more, one lesson costs twice the amaunt of renting the instrument for a month.
Thanks for the reply
Post Edited (2016-12-01 18:43)
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-01 18:33
Thanks a lot for the tips, I tried making sounds with this tongue position but the results where still the same, I guess I was't doing it well. I will try looking into the mouthpiece and reed that you recommended.
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-01 18:53
Thanks , I looked them up and found a site full of teachers like them.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-12-01 18:56
Matarkrv wrote:
> The clarinet I rented was used, which might explain it
> if the mouthpiece is not in great condition, but my reeds are
> brand new.
The clarinet may not be in good repair. The mouthpiece may be in perfectly good condition (you would be able to see damage), but just isn't an easy one to play on. And (repeat this to yourself about 50 times) "new reed does not equal good reed." Cane (the material reeds are made from) is a plant. Each plant has its unique growth pattern, resulting in grain that is different from one reed to another. The first thing to do is try several other reeds. If they all play equally badly, it may be that they are the wrong strength (number) for the mouthpiece you're using. Or it may be something you're misapplying from the videos you've watched about embouchure. You haven't enough experience to know which - equipment, reeds, technique - is getting in your way.
> I will try to get a lesson in a few weeks but I can't really
> afford more, one lesson costs twice the amaunt of renting the
> instrument for a month.
Isn't there anyone among the staff or your acquaintances at school who plays clarinet? Is there an instrumental music teacher at your school? You don't really need a clarinet expert to help with basic sound problems, just someone who has more experience than you in playing the instrument. Any decent band director knows enough to help you sort this out, maybe gratis.
Karl
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-01 22:03
Finding a place to get the clarinet checked may be hard as almost any musical shop in my area focuses on guitars and drums, but they do sell reeds, I will try and pick ones from a different brand than I have right now ( Rico reeds ).
The high school I'm going to is dedicated to engineering and product design so there are no school bands, besides the ones who preform in ceremonies but they almost exclusively have guitarist and vocalists so I can't get help there, so the only choice I have is a teacher.
Thank you very much for the help Karl!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-12-01 23:58
Matarkrv wrote:
> I will try and pick ones from a
> different brand than I have right now ( Rico reeds ).
Rico should be fine, but maybe not the strength you're using. What mouthpiece do you have and what strength Rico reed are you using?
Karl
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-02 00:16
kdk wrote:
> Rico should be fine, but maybe not the strength you're using.
> What mouthpiece do you have and what strength Rico reed are you
> using?
I have a diamond brand clarinet (probably one of those Chinese brands as I couldn't find it anywhere on the web) and I am using it's stock mouthpiece. My Rico reeds are at 1.5 strength.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-12-02 00:46
Unless the tip opening of the mouthpiece is as wide as the Holland Tunnel, 1.5 is too soft. You'll have to experiment a little, since we don't know what the mouthpiece is. If your music store will sell you single reeds (not in a sealed box), try 2 or 3 #2s and 2 or 3 #2-1/2s.
Karl
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-02 00:59
kdk wrote:
If your
> If your music store will sell you single reeds (not in a sealed box),
> try 2 or 3 #2s and 2 or 3 #2-1/2s.
Thanks for the advice, I will try to go there tomorrow and ask for stronger reeds.
I also want to check the keys and metalwork.
Thank you very much for the help today Karl
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-12-02 07:44
Can I suggest, if u r in America, ridenour t147 often become available and they are a really nice clarinet for a beginner or higher! I picked mine up for $90 us.
:)
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Author: Matarkrv
Date: 2016-12-02 11:03
I do not live in America but I will look for it in the stores we have here. Thanks for the advice!
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-12-02 13:49
(PS. I bought mine on eBay. And had it shipped from America. You just have to be careful with eBay... They have this new international charge thing which ends up adding a fortune to the price of lots of things...)
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