 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve
Date: 1999-02-07 23:29
I played clarinet for 8 years, ending when I graduated from high school. My old instrument was a Vito and it never did sound very good.
After 20 years of not playing, I decided to pick up the clarinet again. I bought a used Yamaha 34, hoping that a wooden instrument would help my tone.
After 2 years of practice (about a half hour every other day), I'm still pretty disappointed with my tone. I tried upgrading the mouthpiece to a Brilhart, but it didn't seem to do much good.
I was using a 2 1/2 Van Doren reed, but have since moved up to a 3. I have trouble with notes above high C, and even notes above middle C squawk.
Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do to improve my playing? I'm willing to try changing my practicing patterns, reeds, mouthpiece, and even the instrument, itself.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Author: Merry
Date: 1999-02-07 23:38
Are you having private lessons? If not why not give them a go, I'm sure it would help with your tone and other problems you may be having. It is really hard to hear your own mistakes, or at least I find it hard.
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Author: Steve
Date: 1999-02-08 02:28
No, but I was considering private lessons. I was also looking for any obvious suggestions regarding the equipment I'm using. It just doesn't seem right that I can't reach any of the higher register notes after 2 years.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-02-08 02:41
Steve wrote:
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No, but I was considering private lessons. I was also looking for any obvious suggestions regarding the equipment I'm using. It just doesn't seem right that I can't reach any of the higher register notes after 2 years.
I would think that you may have some leaking pads. Have you had any other clarinetist try your instrument? Have you brought it in for a quick leak check, or have you checked it out yourself?
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Author: Steve
Date: 1999-02-08 02:47
As a matter of fact, I just dropped the instrument off to have 5 pads replaced (2 were sticking due to the skin starting to wear through and the others showed some browning around the edges - key oil, perhaps?). I pick it up from the shop on 2/11/99, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that new pads may help!
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-08 03:03
I strongly encourage you to get some private lessons. Even if you can now hit these notes after getting the pads replaced, a teacher can help you find and correct any problems with embouchure, breath support, equipment, etc. An instructor would not have let you go two years with this problem!
Tone quality is dependent on the following things and the order shown is, to me, the order of importance. However, I am assuming that the instrument itself is in proper working order. The Yamaha 34 is a good instrument but any time that you buy a used clarinet, the first thing you should do is take it into a technician and have them go over it with a fine tooth comb for pads, corks, adjustments etc.
1. Embouchure
2. Breath support
3. Good reeds (there are many good ones but the Vandoren should be fine)
4. Matching of the reed strength to embouchure development and type of mouthpiece.
5. Good mouthpiece suitable for the type of music that you are most interested in playing. Or if your interests are broad, go for a medium mouthpiece of good quality.
6. Good clarinet
Notice that the instrument itself is last on the list. A pro will sound like a pro even on a garden hose because he has mastered items 1 through 5. On the other hand, a beginner will sound like a beginner even on the finest horn if he hasn't mastered these first five points. Don't get me wrong, a fine clarinet is a joy but it's not the main contributor to tone.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-02-09 01:10
1)High notes:
To emit C3#,D3,D3#,E,E#,F from 2nd register tone,we should know (left hand index finger) half tone hole technique.This is a cliche to every pro.This is a must.
Above G,we should use left hand pinky finger to put down the key (I don't know the name of key,low register C# fingering).
2)Tonality:
Yamaha may be too bright in its tones.That is their tendency in general.However I would like to suggest following.
You may be able to try Chadash barrel or Moennig barrel.
They have reverse tapers to make the tone darker,meaning tones with more harmonics.My preference is Kasper-cicero #13(expensive and hard to find) with Moennig(reamered bore) or buy Gregory Smith mouthpiece with Chadash barrel.
These mouthpiece have long tapers and need thicker reeds like Vandoren V12 3.5 or 4.We should not be afraid of the thickness.They can easily emit with these longer taper mouthpiece.Especially,higher notes above C3 can obtain good intonations.2.5 thickness reeds may emit sharp higher notes.
Another answer is a customization of your instrument.For example,Mr.Tom Ridenour's.I recommend you to send a personal E-mail to request his proffessional advice.
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Author: Ray Swing
Date: 1999-02-09 14:04
I don't understand your comments concerning "Half Tone " hole technique. Could you please elaborate and give specific examples. Thanks
R.S.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-10 00:41
Ray, I believe he is simply referring to the technique where the left index finger covers half of its tone hole when playing altissimo notes rather than that hole being left completely open. The better fingering charts generally have a comment on this alternate approach.
I find that for certain notes (especially if they are to be held), it improves the stability and often the pitch of the note. Generally one would not use it on fast passages but on slow ones it's helpful. This will also vary from clarinet to clarinet. On my good horn, I seldom need to do this although sometimes I will get a reed that seems a little unstable in the altissimo and this technique will solve the problem.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-02-10 01:43
Sorry,I am Japanese and my English is not so tangible.
I have Mr.Tom Ridenour's book "Clarinet Fingering".Let me
quote his expression.
"Perhaps the most common technique used by clarinetists to facilitate legato response from the clarion to the altissimo is half-holing.This is done by rolling the left hand index finger from its tone hole toward the bell.This opens the top part of tone holes first and helps ease the response of the upper notes,which will ostensibly keep it from popping out.Once the note has responded to the half-hole,the index finger should be lifted off the clarinet to prepare for any downward slurring.The following action of the finger should never be reversed in an attempt to slur back down into the clarion.The proper method is to lift the index finger and to replace it onto the tone hole.Half-holing is particulary valuable and should be practiced in front of a mirror until it feels comfortable and is utlimately mastered."
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Author: John M
Date: 1999-02-10 02:37
I did not play for 38 years (between college and an early retirement) and found it most helpful to join a community band (no competition for chairs) sponsored by Adult Education. The enjoyment of playing got me to practice more and I re-learned faster that way. By working with others, I picked up pointers and ideas. Unless you intend to be a soloist, what is the big deal about perfecting technique? Play to enjoy the music and the experience! The rest will come in time. Good luck and have fun.
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Author: Ray Swing
Date: 1999-02-11 23:41
Thanks to both Hiroshi and Dee for the clarifications on Half Hole. I guess I don't have the finest fingering charts going. After all my playing in the altissmo register, I've never used the half hole technique. I will try it out though and see what if anything I can do with it. Thanks again.
R.S.
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Author: charles
Date: 1999-02-14 16:36
change your mouthpiece to begin. Go to your local dealer and try a decent mouthpiece other than Brilhard. Vandoren B45 is popular with students. Even Yamaha makes a good mouthpiece. My experience with Brilhard has been disastrous and I threw the item in the garbage years ago.
Charles
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