 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 18:14
i just got my first clarinet. i think i got it assembled all right, but do i blow into the reed on the mouth piece? i mean the reed is exposed on the surface of the mouth piece. so i tried blowing into the gap between the reed and the mouth piece, and sometimes on the reed, but i only made a note of G. and it's hard to make that sound either.
can someone please tell me how to correctly blow in to the clarinet?
i ordered a book but it's not coming till next week. and this town is so small there aren't any instructors, i believe, for clarinet.
it's so complicated, there are pieces of cork between the body and the button thingies...argh
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-08-02 18:33
We've all been here, before.
Before trying to make any music with your clarinet, you may wish to try making a sound with just the reed, ligature, mouthpiece and barrel (topmost section of your clarinet, quite short).
The reed should be in contact with your lower lip.
Your lower lip should just cover your lower teeth.
Some players like to put their upper teeth against the top of the mouthpiece, I use a pad from 3M.
When you are proficient making a 'duck call' try making the same noise softer, then louder.
Perform a search in these pages for;
"Embouchure"
"Assembling your clarinet"
"First steps"
"Practice"
and you should have some fundamental ideas of how to proceed until your instruction text arrives.
What you are asking for is essential, and near impossible to explain without some pictures. Perhaps you could find someone in your neighborhood with playing experience?
If there are loose cork wedges between the keys and the clarinet body, that is intended for shipping purposes and longterm storage.
It is safe to remove things that are not glued down for that purpose.... but if it doesn't want to be removed, it is probably part of the mechanism.
DON'T USE FORCE, your clarinet should be easy to assemble with some cork grease.
I highly recommend the pages insided Woodwind.org from Sherman Friedland, they're straight to the point and well-considered.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-08-02 18:39
May I suggest that you NOT try to put the entire instrument together until your instruction book arrives. Hopefully, it will be complete and have good instruction as well as pictures as a guide. You may try a few notes with the mouthpiece, reed,and barrel. The reed needs to be straight on the table of the mouthpiece. When holding the mouthpiece at eye level, you should see just a hairline of black from the mouthpiece. Turn the mouthpiece the opposite direction (away from you) you should see a hairline of reed. You may double check the height by looking at the combination sideways which will appear even. The reed part goes on the bottom lip. Once again. look at the reed/mpc sideways. Notice where the reed and mtpc separate. That is the amount of mtpc to put into your mouth. Use a little of the lower lip to cushion the reed. Some performers use a double lip embouchre and do the same for the upper lip. Others, like myself, put the upper teeth on top of the mouthpiece. Firm the corners around the side of the mthpc and blow air. You'll have to experiment with the amount of pressure to place on the reed. Too much will close it off and no sound will be produced. Likewise, not enough pressure will not allow the reed to vibrate. Most beginners will not use enough air to vibrate the reed, so make sure you are using enough air pressure. Do not blow out your cheeks and practice in front of a mirror. I'm sure others will add to what I've forgotten to include. That's the great thing about the BB. We tend to remind each other of what we've forgotten or haven't thought about in a while.
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-08-02 18:42
Oh, yes....keep your chin as flat as possible.(Like when you whistle.)
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:00
how can i make other notes with just the top parts?
i disassembled the clarinet, and i only have the ones that don't have the holes/keys except the horn.
and what's the piece with three holes at the end that covered the reed part when i first saw it? i couldn't make any sounds with it so i just took it off and i put the whole wood reed part in my mouth and blew and i made a duck call sound. can't seem to make any other sounds.
oh, and how do i remove the nonessential cork? i don't want to scratch my clarinet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:06
oh was that the reed holder? and do i take it off when i "play" the clarinet?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:07
oh and isn't reed the part of mouthpiece? i got confused because you guys said mouthpiece, reed, and barrel.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:15
and how do i clean the mouthpiece? i still can only make that duck call noise.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark S.
Date: 2002-08-02 19:15
Great beginner suggestions, but I think you guys are getting the proverbial yank. You don't generally find people who use the expression "thingies" and in the next breath "nonessential". And by the way, my beginner students don't come in knowing (especially without a guidebook) that the open note is "G".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:22
the reason i used the word "thingies" is because i wasn't informed nor sure about the objects that i observed. and the reason i used the word "nonessential" is because since Synonymous Botch said that they were for shipping purposes. and i found out about the note that a clarinet makes without closing any holes or keys is G, because i did some research about clarinets before and after i ordered it
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark S.
Date: 2002-08-02 19:24
I'm saying, if you are jerking these guys around, well played. If you genuinely are a young beginner (and you'd have to prove that to us), you should get your parents to get you a couple lessons with somebody in town because clarinet isn't the sort of instrument you can or should learn from a book or a chat session.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:36
well there's the nicest guy that's ever born...
if you've read my previous topics, they're all about types or clarinets, clarinet books for beginner...etc.
well, come to think of it, i guess i'm not a beginner, but a newbie, because this is my first time ever touching a clarinet.
and yes, i'm a young person with 15 years of lifetime elapsed. does that make any differences to my learning ability and/or my sincerety?
and i have already announced that since this town is so small, there probably AREN'T any instructors. and someone i know who plays clarinet is not at all close to being my friend.
and i formally asked for some help, not to judge me nor allege me of something.
but thank you for those who have answered with helping advices.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark S.
Date: 2002-08-02 19:50
Nah, I wasn't born this way. It is years of playing the clarinet that did it to me.
I'll take you at your word -- If you are as serious as you assert, get your parents to take you to the next town if you must to take lessons. I grew up in a bumsplat town and had to go 45 miles one way for lessons. It is completely worth it so you have a rewarding experience with the instrument. A good teacher can get you through the rudiments of the instrument in a couple half-hour sessions. The neighborhood cats and dogs will thank you for it.
Good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: drc
Date: 2002-08-02 19:52
I agree with Mark S. I think this is not what it seems. If one does enough "research" to learn what an open G is, then one knows what to call the "button thingies" and understands that the reed is not part of the mouthpiece.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 19:55
thank you.
but i'm not sure how much it'll cost for the lesson, and how long i should take, how often, and i don't even know how to find an instructor. there's a community college nearby, but i don't know how to contact anyone who wishes to instruct anyone.
but more importantly, i'm not sure if my parents are financially ballanced for an instructor.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark S.
Date: 2002-08-02 20:07
Even in little towns they have phones. Call around. And trust me, if you skronk enough on the horn your parents will be willing to pay either to get you trained or to make you stop.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 20:09
geez, while i was doing researches--researches about different types and brands of clarinet--, i happened to read something that said that if you just blow without doing anything you get a G. and i looked up on korean encyclopedia which said that same thing for Bb clarinets.
and i just happen to not know about other parts of the clarinets.
is that a sin?
sue me or kill me.
geez..
how cynical you guys are at this board.
but again, thank you for those who have responded me and actually HELPED me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2002-08-02 20:09
Try contacting the band directors at your local elementary, middle, and high schools. They may be willing to give lessions. The high school band director could possible recommend one of his better students to give you lessons to get started.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 20:10
and i really don't get what you guys were saying. are you saying that i'm not a beginner who knows how to play the clarinet, and that i'm joking on you guys?
if so, do you think i'd be wasting my precious time asking and defeding myself?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-08-02 21:53
I think what may be missing in this recipe is the amount of time actually required....
The first three days (that's more than one session, if you like)
should be spent getting familiar with producing an even tone with the mouthpiece, reed and barrel alone.
More parts on the instrument will disguise the primal sound.
The method of tootling five minutes, and dashing back to your PC will not produce results.
Unless you're living at the bottom of a missle silo, there is a clarinet player nearby.
Go outside with your 'duck call' and they'll turn up.
Leave the rest of the horn in the case until Monday, 'k?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pam
Date: 2002-08-02 22:22
It's going to take some t-i-m-e to learn to play the clarinet. It doesn't happen overnight. Some lessons, even if it's just a few will help you get going in the right direction. Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-08-02 22:33
Synonymous Botch said "...Unless you're living at the bottom of a missle silo, there is a clarinet player nearby."
What a great expression!
Still laughing! ...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-08-02 22:45
hmm... i guess i'll contact my highschool's band director, or someone i kinda know.
thanks guys
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John
Date: 2002-08-03 00:04
don't be too upset if you think you sound like crap the first few weeks or so. when i first started "playing" clarinet, i was walking around the house getting all joyed up because i was hitting the high notes...turns out i was just squeeking. i didn't even have the reed on right, hehe. i definately suggest you look for lessons from someone who can help you on your way. and i also definately suggest practicing. beginning lessons will generally cost you (if they even make you pay) about $10 or $12 a lesson. that's how much mine were, anyway. and now i'm paying my instructor about $300 a month (supposed to be $500 but he is giving me a price break because he knows my financial situation and still wants to teach me...he's a great guy and a great friend) even though my family is a single-income-four-person-$48,000-a-year-salary-and-in-debt-up-to-our-eyeballs-hehe. my parents are making a huge sacrifice for me to take lessons...make sure you thank your parents if you get lessons!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: catina
Date: 2002-08-03 16:45
I agree with everyone about getting lessons; talking to the band director will help.
Also, your parents don't have to pay for your lessons. Some students get part time jobs (baby-stting, paper route, etc.) to pay for their lessons on their own. It was very rewarding to have earned my lessons (I babysat my teacher's daughter in exchange for lessons when I was high school). I have found that my students that pay for their lessons themselves are the most dedicated and inspired (and inspiring to me!).
Like Mark S., my parents drove me about 45 miles to a different teacher. You'll be able to find somebody.
Catina
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-08-04 14:42
If you like to experiment clarinet playing yourself, this is my suggestion.
1)Make sure upper and lower joints settings.
You can observe the key works of both joints moves together
with a something like a cantilever connections. These should be
matched correctly to make pads closed correctly.
2)Reed settings.
Make sure the reed is set perfectly symmetrical(right and left)
to the mouthpiece tip and the rail. You cannot be too
careful on this since it affects very much how easily the reed
vibrates freely.
You should see the tip of the mouthpiece like a hair above your
reed seen from you. You should know when you play clarinet, the
reed must close the open window of the mouthpiece by vibrating.
The whole reed tip should touch the mouthpiece tip width(wall).
You can asecertain this by pushing the reed onto the mouthpiece
with your thumb.
If your ligature has two screws, you should fasten the upper one
rather tight(but not too much) and the lower one rather loose to
ease reed vibration.
3)Upper teeth setting with your face straight to the front.
Set the upper teeth at 8 mm from the mouthpiece tip.
You can patch a tape on the mouthpiece and make this sure.
4)Lower teeth setting with your face straight to the front.
Set your teeth (rolled by lip) 17 mm from the mouthpiece tip.
5)Direction of air: this is your original question, I guess.
You should not feel like blowing into the open slit between
the mouthpiece and reed straightly. Rather, you should feel like
directing your air to your nose top. To understand this:
a)Air is mainly used to vibrate the reed not to go through the
open slit without doing anything on the reed.
b)You will notice how I recommended you to set upper and lower
teeth rows in the above. Begginers tend to set them at the same
distance from the mouthpiece tip. This makes them look like
playing like an oboe player, head down. You can notice good
clarinet players play with thier heads straight to the front.
You can easily understand you cannot keep this posture with
your upper and lower teeth rows like that considering the
peculiar shape of clarinet mouth pieces.
Actually, if you play like many beginners, you are jeopadizing
reed vibration or in fact you try to close the mouthpiece window
with the reed not to vibrate it. (You know what I mean.)
8mm and 17mm are recommended tyical settings by Keith Sein. His book 'The art of clarint playing' will be an excellent guidance to a player without teachers.
Fingerings or other info, you can find them on Sneezy org archive.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
