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Re: Problems playing clarion notes

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-12-29 07:42

Hi Augustine! These notes are always hard to learn and get them to speak. A lot of times it is the reed. A 2 strength reed from Rico is often some of the worst cane they use. I worked there so I know. They also contain pesticides on all of their reeds. Something you may want to think about before you put them in your mouth.

I'm not fond of the Yamaha mouthpieces although I play on Yamaha horns. I think the 4C might be too open for you and then the 2 strength reeds often collapse after just a few minutes of playing.

If you email me I collect mouthpieces and I can find something to fit you and match your R13 which is a professional horn. I'll also send you some free reed samples to help you get to that 2 1/2 reed strength and then to that 3 strength. Once you hit the 2 1/2 and 3 your embouchure - mouth muscles, lips, should be strong enough to hit the high notes all of the time.

Something else I like to tell people to try is get a mirror and place it on or next to your stand. When something sounds great look at the mirror and see what is going on then try to remember that WOW feeling. When things go wrong well you have the mirror in front of you to see if your fingers are covering the holes or maybe hitting a side key or something like that. Then you can recall how to get that WOW feeling back.

As an exercise to make your embouchure stronger you can play the low E as a warmup for maybe 20 seconds. Then try the F. Yes it is boring. Repeat this for about 4 or 5 minutes. But listen to your sound and look at the mirror. After a few weeks your sound should be a lot sweeter. Your mouth muscles at first may feel tired. This is actually a good thing. Do not bite down on the mouthpiece and make sure your lips do not hurt. In about 3 or 4 weeks the upper register should begin to sound and speak freely.

Great question...

savagesax@aol.com

Bob

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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