 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-07-29 14:30
Hallo! I am an adult learner and have been learning clarinet for just under a year. My teacher is rather unorthodox and started me on the clarion and upper register right from the start. I can get these fine - however, when I now switch register down in a piece, I find I just get the middle register. My teacher has told me to tongue before starting the low note - this sometimes works but even when it does, the clarinet often goes up to the next register with subsequent notes. I have found that not pressing so hard on the holes seems to make a difference, as does something with the breathing (more from the diaphragm I think). Has anyone got any tips for getting and staying in the bottom register?
Also, my teacher is always telling me to breathe, not blow, but I am not really sure what he means. Where is the breath coming from? I feel there is something around the whole breathing issue which I have not understood - and would be grateful for some advice.
Many thanks
Maruja
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-07-29 15:38
My first impression is that you should change teachers but then I realize I don't really know what your teacher is saying to you. There are many reasons this may be happening. The first that comes to mind is that there is either a small leak in one of the throat tone keys, the A or G# or trill keys or you don't cover the holes completely. Or it could be that you open one of those keys very slightly without realizing it. That sometimes happens when you press down to hard.
Then again, it could be that you pinch the reed or press on one side or the other or that you're not using enough air support, which I think is the least likely in this case. It could also be that you choke, close off your throat, or raise your tongue way to high, blocking to air or causing it to voice to high. So there are many reasons, I've probably missed a few, so your teacher really needs to analyze it for you, try playing your set up to make sure it's not your equipment and find the reason for the problem. You need a good embouchure but you need good support as well. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-07-29 15:52
Thank you for your interest - though as you say, there seem to be many reasons for this. I actually have a cheaper student clarinet (Hanson ebonite) which funnily enough, seems to get the bottom register (again starting from the higher one) much better than my Boosey and Hawkes Emperor. This wooden one actually has a problem I think with the throat B - I have to press down very hard to get it to sound and often it won't, without the C down as well. So there may be some leakage. I am going to get it serviced - this may help.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-07-29 18:01
The problem with the B, on the break, throat tones end at the Bb, is because the
B and C keys are not covering at the same time when you depress the B key by it self. The "crows foot" is out of adjustment. It is a simple problem to fix for a repair person. ESP
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2009-07-29 21:14)
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-07-30 08:20
Thanks for that - my teacher has poked about a bit with it but as you say, I think it needs a repair. I will keep soldiering on!
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-07-30 09:54
Hi, Maruja....... Ed's suggestions are correct....... but one further point.... this happened to me at a casual (thank heavens) concert.
The throat A key MUST be able to move very slightly on its own before it opens the G# key.......... otherwise the G# will be held open all the time.
There is a small adjusting screw on the A key that can sometimes move accidentally.
If you are losing all of your lower notes you can bet your boots that the trouble is in this area......... Keep at it.. it' never too late...... H & P
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Author: graham
Date: 2009-07-30 13:06
The later versions of the Emperor (mid 70s) went out of adjustment too easily. It would be ambitious to play a clarion B without also depressing the C key on this model of clarinet. It does not surprise me that the Hanson works better.
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-07-30 16:11
Thanks Graham and Huff. The A key seems OK - I am going with the crows' foot explanation temporarily. Looks as though the Emperor might cost me money if I need to keep getting it fixed. On another note - I went to a BBC Phil Rehearsal for their Prom on Sunday - Mahler's 6th with Gianandrea Noseda conducting and watched the principal clarinetist in particular. I was surprised that he occasionally swooped his clarinet up, jazzman style. What sort of effect do you think he was trying to get?
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