 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2001-10-09 04:41
I just started playing on an A clarinet and discovered it extremely hard to play. I brought it into the shop, and they said there was nothing wrong with it. I have to play Cappriccio Espangol and it won't trill C to D. How can I improve? Am I doing something wrong?
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-09 06:44
I'm not really technically qualified to answer your question, but since a repair shop which I will assume is reputable examined the piece and told you there was nothing wrong with it, I would question a coupkle of things.
First, is the C to D trill the only problem, or does "hard to play" mean all of it is hard to play, but the C to D trill is impossible to achieve?
Second, I would wonder if the mouthpiece you are using came with the instrument, or if you threw whatever mouthpiece you had handy on it, or if you chose it yourself, for that instrument, by trying several on the instrument to find the right one.
I had a problem some time ago with a clarinet that was extremely difficult to play and it was remedied by getting a mouthpiece that "fit" the instrument and how I played it. It was amazing how well it played after that.
I still have the clarinet and remember that lesson every time I see it.
It's a thought.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-09 14:12
I service at least 500 clarinets per year and test play every one of them. I test them either with a Vandoren 5RV-lyre or a Selmr C85, whichever is most handy, AFTER servicing.
Never have I tested one that is difficult to play.
I suspect that guys who select from many mouthpieces to make an instrument play either
1. Have become fussier and fussier until almost nothing satisfies them, as opposed to becoming more and more versatile.
2. Are finding a mouthpiece that best compensates for the lousy state the clarinet is in, even after servicing.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-09 14:14
(I can't say the same for clarion register of some 'cheap' bass clarinets. Some are very resistant.)
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Author: William
Date: 2001-10-09 14:50
I can think of only two problems that would make the trill impossible to play: 1) there is a small leak preventing the notes from speaking properly 2) the key action is adjusted too tightly for necessary movement. A clarinets are, by nature, more resistant instruments than Bb's, and require more even breath support. However, with a little practice, you should be able to play it, and the trill. How's your little finger action--smooth or erratic? Reed/mpc set-up--ok? Can you play the trill on your Bb? If my A were not working, I would first suspect a leak. Take it back to your repairperson for a second look--the leak causing the problem could be very tiny and hard to detect--especially if your clarinet has cork pads on the upper joint. I'm also curious as to the brand name of your A. Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-10-09 15:46
Even the most reputable repair tech can miss something. One guy that I really liked (overall he did excellent work) happened to have a "gorilla grip," i.e. his hands and fingers were *much* stronger than mine. It might play fine for him but leak for me. So I would play test it in the shop after repair and make sure it played fine for me. If it didn't, he would adjust it on the spot.
So even if the tech says it's fine, go back and demonstrate your problem for him.
There are several things that could be wrong such as a pad not quite seating, inappropriate spring tension, etc. or even a combination of things.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-09 22:13
Hi Gordon,
It was, in fact a 5RV-Lyre mouthpiece that made that clarinet good to play, and I don't know about the Selmer C-85, but an S-80 C* feels, on a sax, very much like a 5RV Lyre feels on a clarinet!.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2001-10-10 02:14
I would agree that it is good to have a mouthpiece that you like. I would agree, also, that if you like a particular mouthpiece, you probably will like it on most clarinets that you try. If your favorite mpc works well on your Bb clarinet and you are having trouble on the A, then the problem is somewhere lower.
best luck
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-10-10 06:46
Selmer C85 matches smaller bore clarinets like Selmer Recital or 10SII.
But I felt it made stuffy with Selmer 10G, and Buffet RC or Buffet RC Prestige.
Provably air flow shrinkage connection makes this phenomenon.
A clarinet is longer than B flat one and needs longer air column that should be trained by players. In fact there are teachers who recommend to use A clarinet in daily practice to have longer air column like Guy Dingun(spell?).
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-10 10:19
I used to test with a Vandoren B45 and a Yamaha 4C. No problems with these either.
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Author: DLE
Date: 2001-10-10 11:44
Mmmm.. I think Gordon(NZ) may have saved himself with that comment about the Bass clarinet.
I have an A Clarinet, and I find it alot more resistant than the B-Flat, but the trill problem in very suspicious. It makes me think that this is more of a case of a bad TECH than a bad clarinettist. I would take the thing to at least 2 other TECHS and see what they say about it.
To Cindy: Do you have small Fingers? I know someone who has the smallest 5th right finger I have ever seen, and she has awful trouble trilling from C to D on the A Clarinet too. If this is the case, maybe you should think about the E-Flat.
DLE.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2001-10-11 05:16
Well, maybe it's the way you're trilling the C to D... i have played Cappriccio Espagnol and i know EXACTLY what you're talking about... i have been told to do the trill finginger high C and trilling the uppermost side trill key, i've been told to do the trill by fingering C and trilling with the Ab key, and i've been told to do the trill across the break eliminating the Eb/ Ab right pinky key... i've found that for me the latter of these suggestions proves to be the best and least likely to crack as well as maintain a closer pitch to the traditional high D. If you choose to trill using the 1st described technique it's imperative that you have ALOT of support and a FAST air stream, this trill fingering for me is the most unstable of all of the above mentioned but it feels more natural. The 2nd way is more stable then the 1st way but the intonation on the D is extremely flat so support and a firm embouchure are necessary... Good Luck, Cappriccio Espagnol is alot of fun to play... i LOVE LOVE LOVE it... especially the Bb part... enjoy! Buena Suerte!
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