 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bryan
Date: 2002-11-07 19:04
I have a problem with squeaking--I realize I am not alone in this, but it seems to occur mostly in a particular situation--taking a largish interval over the break, or more specfically going from throat G or F to the clarion D or above, or down the other way. Smaller intervals and intervals within a register are not a problem. I've been working on my embouchoure, and have tried a couple of different mouthpieces and reed strengths, I've even tried adjusting the action in the register key, and nothing seems to help much. I don't think I've got a leak, though I suppose it is not impossible. Any ideas?
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-11-07 19:17
A question, Bryan,
Can you slur from throat G or F DOWN to low G? That's the same fingering as clarion D, so the answer to this question will tell you if it's your fingers that are covering the holes entirely when you get to the note. Sometimes you'll squeak because there's one little lazy finger leaving room for the air to escape from the hole...
Katrina
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-11-07 19:28
Just a wild-a**ed guess here...
It could be your right hand fingers aren't coming down in synch. Take your throat F up to D example -- maybe your ring or middle fingers are covering the tone holes while our index finger is lagging just slightly behind closing up that F hole, long enough to open up another register vent that sends you into Squeaksville. And maybe it's the reverse coming down on the interval -- your index finger (or both your index and middle fingers) could be opening the holes too fast.
If you're not having problems on a regular A to B break cross, practice A to B and back, then move to G to C and back, then F to D and back, and so forth. That'll help get the fingers in synch.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-11-07 21:21
1. Do you have enough breath support (= air pressure). The higher you play, the more support you need (generally speaking). If you have minimal support for the G then you cannot expect higher notes to sound OK with that same support. If you have good support for G , then that will also be enough for the next few higher notes.
2. Do you have the same problem if you largely eliminate the possiblilty of leaks around fingers by fingering G the same as the B (all fingers down) but with left thumb and first 2 fingers removed.
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2002-11-08 01:27
I find that I am more likely to squeak at those intervals if I'm thinking "too sharp" in the upper register. In fact I confirmed this with a purchase of a "tuner" that registers in "cents". (A good one that adjusts for B flat instruments is the Seiko ST757 $32)
Thinking a bit flatter fixed 80% of my problem.
The other 20% is reed related. I have found (and I'm still working this problem) that it takes more than a few reeds to find "the near perfect reed." Even if I go through a box at the store and pick the best looking 4 out of 10, only one or two of those play really well without some tweaking. I'm not yet expert with the reed rush and clipping disciplines, but with those exercises, I could probably increase my really good reed inventory by another 30%.
My main unstable note is clarion A - it doesn't squeak, but it becomes unstable, with a buzzing sound - seems to be very reed dependent.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2002-11-08 18:34
This last comment is interesting, because the clarion A tends to be a problem note on A clarinets. I understand that this note is particularly sensitive to the length and configuration of the register tube.
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Author: Bryan
Date: 2002-11-08 20:33
Thanks for the suggestions. Of some help already, and may be able to figure this out yet. It may be in part a synchronization problem (which is something I've struggled with, though it's getting better). For instance, if I don't have to move the right hand at all, then there's less squeaking. I'm noticing now that if I move the right hand tiny bit _ahead_ of the left, there's less squeaking. On the other hand, if I play clarion G and just release the register key, it doesn't always drop down to C.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-11-09 05:17
Well, Bryan, the last bit you mention is just part of how I find the clarinet works. I can play several notes in the clarion without first depressing the register key. Clarion G is one of the easiest to do this with. It's always a challenge to play those descending 12ths!!!
I think your initial problem is most likely the synch thing. The OTHER problem here can be addressed by dealing with air stream stuff. I have no good way to describe it here though, and have a hard time putting it into words when teaching lessons too. Anyone have a good sound byte for dealing with the descending 12th problems?
Katrina
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-11-09 11:38
"On the other hand, if I play clarion G and just release the register key, it doesn't always drop down to C."
You can't expect it to. The register key is only an assistant. As illustrated in my previous post, appropriate embouchure / air pressure parameters are very important in achieving higher or lower notes. More important than the register vent itself.
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