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Re: Embouchure adjustment improves tone, kills A5 :(

Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2018-10-03 06:27

This may be a combination of several things. I seem to recall hearing that the bore taper on some makes of clarinet changes slightly at about that point in the upper joint. I note you also mention F#6, which has the same lh ring finger opening.

On my R13s the resistance of the notes around A5 seems to change slightly compared to lower clarion, and so does the sound quality. I used to have a bit of trouble that area, often in the form of brief lower pitched "grunts" at the beginning of A5-C5. With trial and experience that difficulty went away, though perhaps there remains some difference of tone quality. The solution was a matter of tongue position, shape, and tension. One basic formation should achieve "your" sound on those and all other notes, but the exact configuration would probably be a different for every individual.

However, what you describe does indeed sound like a leak, and I bet you have at least a slight one somewhere near the open lh ring hole. You can play and sort of overpower slight leaks with a particular setup & embouchure, though it might not get you the best overall sound, which is what you are seeking at this time. So I'd start there - check for leaks.

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