Author: RKing
Date: 2022-12-26 17:57
There are some significant differences in the finger work needed and the embouchure between the sax and the clarinet.
The embouchure is tighter on the clarinet. We think "frown" when we play the sax - and we have to change that to a "smile" on the clarinet. The lower lip must be tighter on the clarinet. It's not as bad from soprano sax, but it's a big change going from the tenor sax.
As mentioned, the clarion register from C5 to C6 is basically the same between the two instruments, but the "octave key" on the sax is a "register key" on the clarinet and will jump a 12th instead of an octave.
The pinky fingers don't have to work as hard on the sax. We have the Table notes for the left pinky and only a few notes for the right pinky finger on our saxophones. And sadly, we lose our palm keys and some of the cool shortcuts we can use on the sax don't exist on the clarinet. The clarinet introduces a whole new world of complexity for the little fingers. There are four or five notes on each side, plus there are ways to play the same note with either the left or right finger, depending on which notes come before or after the particular note. It's not so bad in the key of "C", but sightreading is a lot more challenging in the keys with multiple sharps or flats.
Then there are the "Throat Tones" on the clarinet, which are the upper notes in the lower register (F4 up to Bb4). After 50+ years of playing these instruments, I still have brain fade sometimes when I see a G4 (second line on the treble staff). My left hand will instinctively start to drop the first three fingers onto the holes, when I should leave everything OFF the holes. <LOL>
The clarinet has a beautiful sound and I hope you enjoy it!
Cheers,
Ron
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The Clarinet BBoard
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