 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: topraman517
Date: 2006-05-23 22:27
High F is a b***h to play(the one written above the staff), and I can't even get out high F# and G. I play a Yamaha Standard Bb Clarinet, with a Vandoren 3 1/2 reed. I've been using this clarinet for almost five years now. Maybe I should upgrade to an Intermediate? Also, playing tips would be most helpful!
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Author: susieray
Date: 2006-05-23 22:48
You didn't mention what mouthpiece you are using???? Provided you have a decent mouthpiece, and the clarinet is in proper adjustment, even a student clarinet should be able to play those notes......as long as you are not biting and are using plenty of breath support.
Post Edited (2006-05-23 22:53)
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-05-23 23:14
I'm just curious. Are you trying to play the high F on the top line of the staff or higher than that? My book shows D to be the highest note. High F on the top line is not that bad. I've been playing about 2 months now and I can get that one pretty easily and high B sometimes. I have found that the reed can greatly effect the ability to get high notes.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-05-23 23:22
I'd guess after five years it's the "high" F, over the third line above the staff. The higher the note, the more embouchure support is necessary.
What fingering are you using? Maybe there's an alternative that works better?
--
Ben
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-05-23 23:34
There's a whole slew of alternative fingerings (http://www.wfg.woodwind.org) where maybe one will help more than the other. You can also try SLIGHTLY changing your bottom lip position (taking in a little bit more mouthpiece/reed) to see if that helps. And yes, a comfortable reed helps. I tend to like my reed (currently) a little softer than most. And I use a VERY light emouchure while playing. Seems to give me better control.
On the contrary to what was said above though, I find that my embouchure LOOSENS up the higher I go, instead of tightening. Simply to stop me from pinching out high notes.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-05-23 23:59
On the contrary to what was said above though, I find that my embouchure LOOSENS up the higher I go, instead of tightening. Simply to stop me from pinching out high notes.
I carefully chose the word "support" - I didn't mean to write "pinch", I just meant that embouchure matters more than with eg chalumeau notes.
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Ben
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-05-24 01:05
Yup. Misread it. In the immortal words of George Washington after he cut down his father's cherry tree, "My bad, dawg."
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Dee
Date: 2006-05-24 02:32
Assuming a good reed, an appropriate mouthpiece, and good technique, altissimo F# should be relatively easy to play on any clarinet unless it is out of adjustment.
Upgrading the clarinet will not help if the problem is with your mouthpiece, reed, or technique.
I would recommend starting by having an experienced player or a clarinet teacher try out the instrument to verify it is in proper condition. If not, it may be time for a trip into the shop for maintenance.
If the clarinet is in good shape, get an experienced teacher to check out your technique and evaluate your mouthpiece/reed combo.
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Author: topraman517
Date: 2006-05-24 05:47
Ok, thanks everyone. I'm using a Vandoren mouthpiece, the Traditional I think. And yes, I was talking about the F on the third line above the staff. I guess the problem is my clarinet, though I don't have a clue what the problem would be. One thing that I maybe should have mentioned is that the clarinet is plastic, not wood. Still, if I'm understanding correctly the general consensus here is that I shouldn't need to upgrade my clarinet in order to play these notes. I have an audition tomorrow, so there's no time to get the clarinet checked out, but do any of you know if there are stores where they will check your clarinet to see if it is in good condition, or do you have to do that yourself and tell the store what needs to be fixed?
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Author: Clarinetcola
Date: 2006-05-24 09:20
yamaha's student clarinet are not That bad, i can go up to the C above the F.
Nathan
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-05-24 09:50
Use the throat G# key in conjunction with the standard altissimo F fingering (Sp. Th. G# oxxC#/G#|oooAb/Eb) - this will help the note to speak and also sharpen it if it's a bit on the flat side.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2006-05-24 09:51)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-05-24 11:30
Dee recommended,
>>I would recommend starting by having an experienced player or a clarinet teacher try out the instrument to verify it is in proper condition. If not, it may be time for a trip into the shop for maintenance.
If the clarinet is in good shape, get an experienced teacher to check out your technique and evaluate your mouthpiece/reed combo.
>>
Yes! You mentioned that you had an audition coming up. I'll bet there's some performance anxiety behind the urge to upgrade.
I've noticed over the years that people tend to start worrying about the equipment just before an important audition or concert. I think that's not a good time to change your equipment or to make a major change in the setup, unless something goes obviously, disastrously wrong with the old equipment. (While the marching band sits in the stands and waits for halftime, the clarinet falls through the bleachers onto the concrete....)
Right now, you're playing something familiar. The familiarity is, itself, a benefit in a stressful situation. Changing clarinets or mouthpieces, even if it's a big change for the better, always involves some adjustment, some re-learning. Do you really need to add that set of variables, on top of the other preparations for an audition? I think the best time to try out new instruments or mouthpieces, or even a different strength of reed, is when you're not under any pressure.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2006-05-24 14:01
Lelia Loban wrote:
> I think the best time to
> try out new instruments or mouthpieces, or even a different
> strength of reed, is when you're not under any pressure.
Just like looking for a new job - it's best to look when you don't need it ...
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Author: topraman517
Date: 2006-05-25 01:42
"yamaha's student clarinet are not That bad, i can go up to the C above the F."
Clarinetcola, you're going to have to be more specific than that. Where is the F that you are talking about located on the staff?
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Author: ajhogan
Date: 2006-05-26 08:45
I have been playing for nine years, and my ability to get the higher notes had little to do with my reeds, mouthpiece, ligature, or clarinet. Four years ago I could not play above high E (note below yours), and then two years later I was working on getting the A, B, and C above that. I did, and can now successfully play them. My good clarinet is a Buffet E11, but I can also get up to the high C above your note on my bad clarinet, a Buffet B12, which is not in good condition. In my limited experience, getting the higher notes comes down to embouchure and air pressure. But ask the pros and teachers, they know more than I do.
Austin
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