 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bacon
Date: 2002-08-14 03:53
Hi! I have another question concerning clarinets. I notice that when I'm playing and I go past Bb to the higher notes, the sound is kinda "muffled". That is, the tone isn't quite as clear as the lower notes. Am I simply outta practice or is this normal? I suppose its the first thing, but I seem to remember the notes after Bb always sounded weird.
And sorry if my question is really stupid I'm still stuck in middle school band in my mind!
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Author: Karel
Date: 2002-08-14 04:40
No craziness in that question. I am having the same problem, I think it is called "going over the break", and involves increase in breath support for the notes above the break, which is not that easy to judge correctly. Unless you have a pad problem, but more knowledgeable people will come up with advice soon.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-08-14 05:56
Ask a tech to check it out for you, as mentioned at your other post. It may need some adjustment, maybe pads or cork replaced as needed. Just ask for a checkup and an estimate. Let us know what you find out before you make a commitment to have work done. It's a very busy time for most shops - up to their ears with school horns - so it may be weeks before they can get to yours. I'm just curious to know what shape your instrument is in from a tech's point of view since it's been sitting unplayed for a long time.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-08-14 15:25
I wonder if there is an old moth cocoon in the register tone hole.
Try taking this key off and cleaning the hole with a pipe cleaner. Look down the bore as you do it to see if you are dislodging something into the bore. It may get stuck in the hole again as you withdraw the pipe cleaner.
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Author: Cary
Date: 2002-08-14 21:59
Even the best of clarinets have the same sound you described. The best piece of advise is to play long tones from open G up to the C. The fuzziness, in most cases, will not go away, and if the reed you're using isn't up to par, that will make the situation worse. There are several alternate fingerings you can use that become quite helpful, especially if the Bb must be used in slow passages. However, setting aside alternate fingerings, long tones are probably your best bet if you're insisting on using the same fingering. Carefully listen to your tone, change lip pressure, both the top and bottom lip; experiment. Don't, however, change your air pressure, unless you know exactly what you're doing. This could cause a lot of problems for you down the road. Good luck!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-08-15 11:26
Sorry Cary, but this is not true. Many clarinets have a Bb clarity that is comparable to neighbouring notes. Clean tone holes, pad shape, venting, and clarinet design are all factors.
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