 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sal
Date: 2002-07-05 20:50
I have an acoustics question...
When we move between registers on the clarinet without opening the speaker key or similarly interrupting the air-column how do we do it? Presumably it's by altering the action of the reed...but how?!
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Author: Burt
Date: 2002-07-06 00:11
You should (with great difficulty) be able to get all registers without using the speaker key. Brass players do this routinely, and the principle is the same. On the clarinet, more pressure on the reed, especially nearer the tip, encourages the tip of the reed to vibrate more strongly.
With some simplification: The length of the air column (from mouthpiece to first open hole) is consistent with the notes in all registers. C below staff has a wavelength four times this length, G (space above staff) has a wavelgth 4/3 times this length, E above that, 4/5 times this length, etc. Unlike most other instruments, the clarinet sounds only the odd multiples of frequency, hence 4, 4/3, 4/5, and not 4/2 (=2) or 4/4 (=1).
What the speaker key does is to create a "leak" (low pressure region) at approximately the place the note in the Clarion (second) register has a pressure null. This makes it impossible(?) to play the low register. Brass and flute players don't have this luxury.
I am NOT suggesting that you become proficient in playing higher register notes without the speaker key. Hope this helps...
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Author: Rene
Date: 2002-07-06 07:49
I have to add a question:
Sometimes I find it difficult to go down from the clarinet register to the chalumeau just by closing the register key. When this happens, I touch the reed very slightly with the tongue to ease the transition. I am wondering if this is a bad habit.
Rene
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Author: IHL
Date: 2002-07-06 15:21
the register key is part node creator, half tone hole. Try playing the 3rd G in the chromatic scale with correct fingering, then, while still blowing, without the register key. Hear the difference? On the Yamaha at least, it goes noticably flat. So as Burt said, don't try playing high without the register key.
Fun trick: The Last post can be played using just the overtones of the first clarion B. It take some effort though.
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2002-07-08 04:55
Rene --
Downward slurs of an octave or more from clarion to chalumeau or from altissimo to clarion are among the most difficult of all passages to negotiate on the clarinet. By all means use a light tongue if that helps, so long as you make musical sense out of the passage. You might be surprised how many clarinet players, including top professionals, use a light tongue as an aid or as insurance on large interval downward slurs.
To practice your downward slurs, you might try relaxing your embouchure to the point where the upper notes are flat and the wide intervals are generally out of tune. Once you get the right "feel" in your embouchure and air stream, the tuning will come back into line. IMHO, the main cause of problems with large downward interval slurs is too much embouchure pressure coupled with too much air pressure.
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