 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: drews1949
Date: 2011-05-08 16:52
Can someone tell me the benefits of practicing harmonics on the clarinet? My new teacher has asked me to practice them, but the only thing I do is go up as high as I can from each fundamental. What else can I do? Is there a book or pamphlet out there than can help me get more control or learn more?
Thanks,
DS
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-05-08 23:13
On a harmonics related note, an interesting thing happened to me about two weeks ago. I was playing an etude and really just trying to focus on tongue position and whatnot. And about halfway through it I realized I had been concentrating so hard on tongue position and other things I had completely forgotten to press the register key to change registers. My embouchure and tongue position had done it for me.
I realized it when I had to play a third line B and hold it out and while getting softer I heard it start to sound the undertone of the low E (I guess almost like a multiphonic?). Then I realized, "Ooops. Forgot I have to use the register key".
As far as WHY harmonic exercises are good, it's just to further have better control over your instrument. If you can play and choose which register is going to sound WITHOUT a register key, then you will have NO problems playing while using it (or if you absentmindedly forget to press it down like I did)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2011-05-09 02:07
Playing harmonics is a good way to learn how to change the "voicing" shape and position of the tongue. I use them with my students to show them the effect that tongue positioning has on their tone quality. It is also useful in learning how to play in the altissimo register. If you get good at it, you can play many harmonics to the point where it is possible to play a variety of bugle calls.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2011-05-09 09:15
This video might help. It's about voicing, which is what the harmonics exercise is intended to improve. It discusses the bass clarinet, but the principle is the same on Bb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eQL-3demDA&feature=youtube_gdata
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Author: Red Chair
Date: 2011-05-12 08:57
Surely the real problem here is the relationship with the teacher. You are blindly following their advice without understanding the full reasons for doing so, and they are telling you what to do without explaining what benefits will result from this style of practice and how to practice the said techniques. It must be asked, just what are you paying your teacher for? If you don't ask questions and your teacher doesn't fully address issues you might as well save your money and get all your advice here.
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Author: drews1949
Date: 2011-05-14 17:13
Red Chair,
Your point is valid. I'll be attending a new school this coming fall, and my new teacher asked that I explore harmonics, voicing and overtones, so I began here as a way of doing so.
Thank you,
DS
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-05-15 05:13
I'd think "because it's something cool you can do on the instrument" would be reason enough...
They're a heck of a lot more fun and versatile on the lower clarinets.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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