 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: artang
Date: 2014-04-26 05:38
Hello!
I'm an intermediate-beginner clarinet player and have been looking around, but can't find any solution for my specific problem.
I can play most notes up to about e6 without any problems in sound or intonation, but on a4 and b flat 4, I almost always squeak. This has caused me to have an extreme drop in confidence, and I now play those notes very lightly and softly.
If it helps, I am using a Yamaha 250, stock mouthpiece and ligature, and a 3.5 vandoren traditional reed.
If I'm doing anything wrong/strange/not recommended, could somebody please point it out to me?
Thanks in advance!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-26 06:56
I'm not good with the "number thing," but sounds like you're referring to throat "A" and "Bb?"
Could be that the "G#" key is not opening properly (or enough), or that pad is torn or otherwise not working, or there is something built up in that tone hole that needs to be Q-tipped out.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-04-26 09:10
How much reed are ou taking into your mouth? Maybe it's too much?
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-04-26 16:45
Judging from the staff above as a guide I think you mean the lower Bb and A, is that correct or is it the "throat tone" notes? If it is the lower notes it doesn't make sense if the 12th above, the F and E using the register key does not squeak so I'll go with the throat tone notes. As Paul suggested, check the pads to make sure they look OK and it's possible there's something stuck in one of the tone holes. Make sure the G# key is opening when you depress the A key. If there's nothing wrong with the instrument you might be pinching the reed since the resistance changes so much of those notes. I can't think of any other explanation for the throat tone notes to be doing that otherwise.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: artang
Date: 2014-04-27 01:34
Kdk,
I use the 'paper' method for how much reed i put in my mouth. (Using a paper between the reed and mouthpiece) Is that the right amount? it looks like about 3/4 of an inch.
Ed and Paul, I do mean the throat tone notes. I have fixed my clarinet so the g# key is opening and closing down correctly and that seems to have fixed the problem. Thanks!
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-04-27 02:50
What kind of ligature are you using?
Where is it in relation to the ligature lines on your mpc?
Sometimes, Rovners, being soft, do not grip the reed with equal pressure at both ends because of the taper in the mpc - over-tighten it for a few days to "settle it in".
Other:
1. Make certain that your reed is not thicker on one side than the other; blow an open G and rotate the clarinet about 40 degrees to the left, then to the right so that sound is only produced by one side of the reed. That'll tell you if one side of the reed tip is thicker. If so, take appropriate action (sand it down)
2. Center your reed very accurately, and tighten the ligature more. Try the ligature a bit closer to the beak of the mpc.
3. Try a # 3 reed (a bit softer than your 3-and-a-half)
4 Determine whether you squeak when the clarinet is cold or when it's warm. Reason: if it only happens when you are warmed up it could be a throat-tone pad or other pad swelling up and not seating evenly.
bruno>
Post Edited (2014-04-27 08:14)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2014-04-28 08:13
There are very many ways that a clarinet will squeak. Many of these are the result of slightly opening a tone hole.
When you squeak, freeze and hold the tone. THEN, feel around to see if you have a finger not sealing on a tone hole or a finger "brushing" against a key. A frequent problem is to "catch" one of the trill keys under your right forefinger.
Once you know what is causing the squeak, and you can reproduce it, you're on the way to getting rid of it.
Bob Phillips
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