 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan
Date: 2001-10-13 18:20
Certain clarinets are advertised as "free blowing" and "extremely free-blowing". Because of very weak muscles on the right side of my face, blowing on a clarinet with moderate resistance can cause my right cheek to ache for days. (I play with a very soft reed.). Since I play for personal enjoyment only, I'm thinking of a very elementary student plastic clarinet (B12, Vito 7214, etc.). What do you think? Would playing an "extremely free-blowing" clarinet help to solve my problem? I appreciate any suggestions. Dan
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Author: jmcaulay
Date: 2001-10-13 19:43
Hi, Dan:
Sorry about your problem. I have not played on a great number of current instruments and thus can't offer any firm suggestions as to specific instruments. However, I would suggest that you pay much more attention to the comments of someone who has played a lot of 'em, rather than to advertising blurbs. After all, nobody is going to advertise: "Our clarinet is hard as hell to play," yet some are reported to be just that. Personally, I find the Vito to be an "easy-blowing" instrument, but that is not based on a wide range of comparisons and may not be universally agreed. Look for a lot more comments.
Good luck,
John
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-10-13 19:55
Most Vitos and other student model clarinets are easier to play than the wooden ones. They are designed with less resistance to encourage the beginner. They're a good place to start out and good for people with breathing problems and others such as yours. There are a few clarinets out there (such as my Buffet Festival) that are wood and "very free blowing," that are wood models--including some of the larger bored jazz models. But, if you want an inexpensive way to start out and beat your problem (as much as it might be possible), then go ahead with the Vito or other plastic models. I might recommend the Vito V40 if you're going to get one.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-10-13 20:12
Dan - I dont really disagree with Brenda's good advice, but would like to call your attention to the Symphonie III thread below, for discussion of the LeBlanc cls. I have found them to be generally easy-blowing, from the Vito's , some Noblet-Normandys into the more "jazz"-character pro wood cl's of which I have several. As to price, there will prob. be on EBAY at any time, some used LeB woods, re: which, a number of us can give advice, at no more than the cost of a new plastic clar. So, look around, try what you can, and ask. Luck, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-10-13 20:24
Dan -
You don't say what you're playing now. Have you had it checked out recently? Vitos are easy blowing instruments. Most other instruments, if the pads all seat well and they're in adjustment, are free blowing too.
My suggestion, if you haven't already done this, is to scrub out your mouthpiece and have a tech look over your horn for possible tiny leaks. Tiny leaks will cause the best instrument to be stuffy and hard to blow. If it still blows hard you might want to consider a different mouthpiece.
- ron b -
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-10-13 22:01
Make sure you try mouthpiece changes. Some mouthpieces have much more resistance than others. (I believe this is mentioned in the clarinetist with asthma post.)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-14 11:10
I agree, Dan. Leaks are the main cause of difficult-to-blow clarinets.
You could consider Yamaha. Undercut tone holes helps to make a cheap instrument great. Is Yamaha the only plastic clarinet with undercut tone holes?
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Author: DLE
Date: 2001-10-14 15:01
It is true, that Mouthpieces, and leaks can cause more resistance - and that some clarinets are different to blow than others, but personally, I think it is astray time. I had a friend once with exactly the same problem - and I don't know how her teacher could let her play like that - but she carried on with it, and despite the agony, became quite a proficcient(sp.) clarinettist (Although not as proficcient(sp.) as myself hmmm.. hmmm.)
Anyway, her desire to play the clarinet superseeded her pain. It is among the 'top 5' of the most incredible things I have ever seen in my life. From the sound of it though - you only play the clarinet as a hobby, and not a carrer. This is not a problem. If you are having trouble with your cheeks whilst playing, it may be the clarinet's resistance, or it might be your technique - either way, I would see a clarinet specialist about it if you are insistant on carrying on with playing.
Trust me, it is no good having a hobby which causes you unneccesary pain.
Take Care,
DLE.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2001-10-15 03:55
I have always used "free blowing" to mean easy to do slides and bend notes. When I think 'hard to blow', I think a reed too hard for the mouthpiece or leaks. I think all clarinets will require a lot of cheek muscle. I wonder if an alto sax might be a better choice of instrument.
However, as long as you are experimenting. try sliding the mouthpiece 30 degrees toward the good side. People play this way for a variety of reasons. It might work for you.
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