 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-07-29 03:22
Hello all;
I am the owner of a clarinet for the first time in my life. I have played trombone (long long ago), drums, guitar and the only one I still play is the harmonica.
Anyway, I was at a rumage sale the other day and saw what looked to be an older clarinet. All the parts, cleaning rag, cork wax and a bow of reeds sat in the case. The horned looked solid but very tarnished. The body is made of wood and the valve workings apear to be silver or nice chrome, stainless, I do not know but it shines up quite nice with silver polish.
I asked the nice lady how much she wanted for it and she said it's mostely just good memories.......how about 4 or 5 dollars.
I did not hesitale and gave her a five spot.
Now, I am the harmonica player in a swing style blues band called The Mighty Roadkings and I thought that if I am able to learn to play this horn I could do a tune or two with it. I play the horn lines on harp right now but the clarinet would be nice touch if I can pull it off.
I know nothing... I don't know how to set up the mouthpiece...
Any help or direction as to a web site or whatever.
Thanks
Dan
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Author: Corey
Date: 2003-07-29 04:13
Well, I would suggest looking for a private teacher to take few lessons at the least to get you started if not long term.
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Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2003-07-29 04:14
I know what people on this site are going to say, get private lessons. to put a clarinet together is simple, just put the pieces where they fit. to put a reed on, make sure its wet and line it up on the mouthpiece so the tip of the reed is lined up with the top of the mouthpiece. embourchure isn't too hard. put your top teeth on the top face of the mouthpiece and your lip on the underside keep the corners of your mouth together on blow. otherwise get a clarinet music book for beginners that teaches you the skills and how to read the music and different signs that are in music. hope this helps.
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Author: Gnomon
Date: 2003-07-29 07:07
Dan, there are two main types of clarinet, the Boehm system and the Albert. All modern ones are Boehm, but older ones are sometimes Albert. Have a look at my clarinet pages at:
http://gofree.indigo.ie/~jonmca/clarinet1.html
You will find a guide to telling you which you have. There is also a fairly complete guide to playing the Boehm. Much of this will apply to the Albert as well. There is also a fingering chart for the Albert, so if you have one and find the Boehm instructions don't seem to work, then refer to the Albert chart.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-07-29 18:22
No don't just put it together. You can bend keys that way. The bridge mechanism between the upper and lower joints is particularly vulnerable to damage if a person doesn't know how to put it together. Also many people put the mouthpiece on with the reed facing up if they haven't been shown the correct way, which is the reed facing down.
If you don't get a private teacher, then get a book at the local band store that has very good pictures of how to assemble it. Or ask a kid that plays clarinet in the school band to show you how to put it together.
However, it really is worthwhile to take lessons to get you started off right.
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Author: Dan
Date: 2003-07-29 23:25
Thanks for the quick responces.
I put the horn together and yes I was careful about the delicate parts as I put it together. I went to Eoin's site and followed the steps to make some noise and it worked quite well. Thanks Eoin...
I did find that with a verry light touch on the reed with my lower lip I got a raspier sound which I kind of liked, or do you guys try not to sound raspy??
Thanks again
Dano
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Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2003-07-30 00:59
if you just touch the reed your tone is usually flat. your tone should be clear.
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