 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-03-15 20:14
I recently became interested in playing soprano sax. I was unable to produce a decent tone and could only play middle notes--nothing low, nothing high. Granted I was playing on my friend's soprano with a metal mouthpiece, but I don't think it's that much of a difference. I remembered that I had the same problem when I started playing tenor sax in a jazz band 2 years ago. It was very difficult at first, but I was eventually able to adapt pretty well, produce a decent tone, and play in almost all registers. On tenor, the high range was fairly easy to play for me, but the low range was almost impossible. So when I tried soprano today, I wasn't able to play high or low. Especially on a low notes I got a very "waving" unstable tone (think of a lawn sprinkler) which sounded like chopped up vibrato. I've also had a failed attempt at playing Eb clarinet (was barely able to produce any tone, not to mention it sounded hideous).
I realize I would need to practice these other instruments more to actually succeed in playing them, but why is it that I see other people just easily pick up say the Eb clarinet and play it like it's nothing?
For example, my friend in band plays Eb for a piece we're doing now and he sounds great. My other friend, who also plays clarinet, sent me him playing a soprano sax for a piece he recently had to do and (never really having played it before) he sounds wonderful. How were they able to sound like that so easily?
Am I using too tight of an embouchure? Thinking too much? I have no clue. I just wish I could figure these things out so I could practice the instruments and perhaps start being able to double.
Post Edited (2005-03-15 20:17)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-03-15 20:23
"It is better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all".
Keep working AT it, and stop worrying ABOUT it. Success in things musical doesn't happen overnight (if ever).
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Author: johnsonfromwisconsin
Date: 2005-03-15 20:40
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I wasn't able to play high or low. Especially on a low notes I got a very "waving" unstable tone (think of a lawn sprinkler) which sounded like chopped up vibrato. I've also had a failed attempt at playing Eb clarinet (was barely able to produce any tone, not to mention it sounded hideous).
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This, as well as your other problems could be from any number of issues. One is the condition of the instrument you were playing, mouthpiece design/quality would be another issue, and being in practice would be just as important. I played Soprano for a season many years ago and transitioned from the alto saxophone. High notes and embochure strength were a definite problem for me, as I remember, and it took a half an hour a day, five days a week, for perhaps three weeks to get comfortable with it and I was allready proficient on one saxophone.
-JfW
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-03-16 03:52
In my opinion, Bigno16, Soprano sax and Eb soprano clarinet are two notoriously and diabolically player-unfriendly beasts ever conceived by mankind. Both of them must be mechanically sound and meticulously adjusted to be even close to becoming player-co-operative. Most folks in your situation tell me they feel that with good mouthpiece/reed match, if you ever discover such a thing, you need to work ceaselessly on techniqe. Personally, I don't believe that for a second. The usual tendency for the Bb soprano clarinet player at first is to "bite". Neither instrument, soprano sax or eefer, likes that approach at all. You need to relax, relax, relax - force yourself if you must but a tight embouchure can make things very unpleasant and may swiftly ruin your enthusiasm. Emblazon upon your mind in big, bold indelible letters: "RELAX!"
Then play 'em like you've heard your friends do. Approached and tamed properly the instruments of your interest are capable of producing some of the sweetest sounds you'll ever be pleased to hear.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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