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Squeaks on Middle B, C, and D

Author: jjkimtennis
Date: 2011-05-05 01:16

Hi, I've been playing clarinet for more than 5 years. I'm a high school senior, and I've done everything from honor bands to marching band to chamber groups. And I guess I've had the occasional squeak, but these days, my squeaking is driving me NUTS. I notice that most of my squeaks happen when I play the middle B, C, and D. And it's mostly on my D. In fact, I squeak like 1 out of every 3 times I play a D. It's not a long squeak. It's like a soft squeak that lasts for a millisecond. I just got the pads replaced for the first time in a while, and I'd say the squeaking improved. But the problem's still hanging around on those three notes. I've never been very savvy with equipment, so I don't know if it's my mouthpiece, my reeds, or my embouchure. I mean, my mouthpiece is 6-7 years old, but I doubt it's that. I use Vandoren 3 1/2s, and I guess if anything, it's most likely that it's the reeds. And I'm pretty sure my embouchure's fine. I do have a bad habit when tonguing though. I don't really tongue with the tip. I use an area of the tongue closer to the middle. That's wrong, right? And would that be the culprit?

Any advice is appreciated! Especially about reads and embouchure.

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