 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jang Lee
Date: 2002-03-20 20:29
Hi folks,
Im a beginner and I squeak alot usually on the high notes, could you tell me whats usually causing the squeaking and how I can stop squeaking. I guess more I practice the squeking will stop but I want to prevent bad habits from starting. Thanks Jang
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Author: A David Peacham
Date: 2002-03-20 20:49
I'm a near-beginner, so believe me or not as you think fit.
Two things cause squeaking.
One is your fingers. If you don't cover the holes properly, you'll squeak. This is especially true of the left hand holes. I find a lot of my squeaks are caused by rolling my left thumb up the instrument to open the register key, so that the thumb hole isn't closed properly. Similarly, you can cause squeaks by opening keys that shouldn't be open: the A key and Ab keys (first finger of left hand) are particular villains in this respect. Just a slight touch on these can make a squeak.
The other cause of squeaks is embouchure. If you take too much mouthpiece in your mouth, you'll squeak. How much mouthpiece is the right amount? Just slightly less than the amount that makes it squeak.
Keep practising.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-20 21:51
Push up on your upper lip with your right hand/thumb
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-20 22:23
A leaking pad, or a warped reed, or a reed that's "wrong" for either you or the mpc. A poorly faced mpc will also cause a squeak as air travels under the edge of the reed, rather than the tip.
Before you adjust you, have your horn, barrel and mpc looked at by a competent (patient) repair person. Nothing worse than an intermittent leak that you can't "lip" of finger away.
Mitch
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2002-03-21 01:14
One thing that I've learned helps, at least for me, is to open your throat and sort of "breath" into the clarinet rather than just blow.
I would also say, "practice practice practice". It worked for me.
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Author: Christoffer
Date: 2002-03-21 10:18
Do a search on this BBoard on the word squeak ... the topic has been disussed often, since it is a problem we all have encountered.
My experience is that the main cause of squeaks is lack of proper air support. Don't be afraid to blow hard. You should make a concentrated airstream, firmly supported by your diaphragm.
Of course some advice from a teacher is the best way to prevent bad habits from starting.
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2002-03-21 11:57
Another contributor to squeeking is not holding the clarinet rock steady while playing.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-03-21 15:01
Just a correction:
Christoffer wrote "....firmly supported by your diaphragm."
It is physically impossible for the diaphragm to offer support to the breath (air) while blowing or breathing out.
He probably means abdominal muscles. Many players/teachers use the term diaphragm incorrectly.
This issue has been covered before. A search on 'diaphragm' should find it.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-03-21 15:11
The topic "diaphragm" a page or two down, author "Martin" has two URLs on the topic.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-03-21 23:23
Proper breath support, and don't "bite". Biting is often done by those without proper breath support. Also, check that you have the proper size reed for your mouthpiece, and check to be sure the mouthpiece is not warped. Check the threads for register change exercises that may help.
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Author: John
Date: 2002-03-22 23:12
moving the mouthpiece in your mouth a lot can also cause much squeakage
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