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Re: high G# and A on Eb clarinet

Author: Michael Maxwell
Date: 2020-02-29 19:43

Hello Peter,

I'm one of those people who can go up to the high C on the Eb. There are a few things you need to do to get those high notes:

1. Use the C# key instead of the Eb key for notes A and higher. (The actual fingering is less important, as you will vary it according to the passage and the instrument, as usual.)
2. Take more reed in the mouth.
3. Practice playing all the overtones without the register key to ensure that you are voicing properly.
4. Use the proper reed. For the very highest notes on the instrument not any reed will work. Especially if you use cut down Bb reeds. The proper reed need to be not as hard as you may think but very flexible. I used to use cut down Bb reeds but since Vandoren came up with the V21, I just use them now and save a lot of time.
Generally I use an half size lower on Eb than the Bb. You don't need hard reeds if you're playing the little guy properly.

I hope that helps.
If you'd like to ask me any questions give me a call in Ottawa at 613-402-4387.

Happy squeaking
Michael

Ottawa Canada
613-402-4387

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