 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2011-07-18 22:06
I have an occasional problem with very short squeaks upon beginning a note - they sound like a chirp at the start of the note. Here are the characteristics I've noted:
- tends to happen on B5, G5, and E3, B3, (but others too) when starting the note, especially after a quick breath and when preceded by an interval of maybe a 3rd to a 5th
- is much more pronounced on some reeds, and absent on some others
- the reeds are all about the same strength, and seem to be well balanced
- it's annoying the hell out of me
As the reeds are so clearly implicated, I'm wondering if there's some adjustment I can make to improve the situation? Or is there something else I'm not considering as a likely culprit?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-07-18 23:12
The position of the reed on the mouthpiece is crucial - try if moving them a wee bit up or down helps.
It may also be that the mouthpiece is ever so slightly warped. Do you have the effect with a different mouthpiece as well?
--
Ben
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2011-07-19 15:43
Thanks Ben. I'll try both. (Hope to God it isn't the mouthpiece, as it's less than a year old and I'm very, very pleased with it.)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-07-19 16:52
There are so many things it could be I don't know where to begin but I'll give you the most obvious to me as someone that has taught students how to play the bass clarinet for some time now. It could be a small problem with the instrument, most notable the double automatic register keys not coordinating perfectly fast enough. They have to be perfect not almost. You could be leaving something in your RH down slightly late when picking up the fingers in that hand, especially the third finger, not counting the thumb. If you're positive it's not one of those and no leaks in the top joint, doesn't take much, then it's most likely the fault of your embouchure, pinching a corner of the reed when starting a note or making a skip, or you do something in your throat or tongue position without realizing it effecting your voicing. If you can't figure it out yourself you will have to go to an accomplished bass clarinetists and play for them. They can try the horn with your mouthpiece, and if willing, your reed set up, I do that all the time, and determine if it's you or the horn or your equipment. Then hopefully be able to identify the problem, it's not always easy if it'a a voicing problem because it's internal.
Good luck, ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-07-20 00:54
Nine times out of ten it will be a mouthpiece with uneven tip dimensions. Even a small bit of asymmetry at the tip, invisible to the eye, can promote width-wise (rather than the desired lengthwise) vibrations of the reed, resulting in the tendency to chirp or squeak.
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2011-07-20 12:03
Ed, David,
Thanks for your thoughts.
I tried my previous mouthpiece last night, as per Ben's suggestion, and the problem was much, much worse. So, I'm thinking it's therefore less likely to be the mouthpiece, the mechanism, or the reed, and more likely to be something in my technique that the now-less-familiar mouthpiece is exaggerating. This is a reasonable conclusion, right?
I'll think about lazy fingers (not unlikely) and voicing (dunno how, yet).
David.
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Author: fargus
Date: 2011-07-20 21:03
Maybe you just have to get used to a new mouthpiece? Also your embouchure might not be so great. Try tightening up your mouth a little more around the mouthpiece and take a little more of it into your mouth. That helps me when I start to squeak.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-07-20 21:10
Well David, if it's not the MP, which I haven't often found to be the problem with this in the past, and you don't think it's the instrument or the reeds that only leaves one thing left, YOU. That limits the choices to your embouchure or your voicing, tongue or throat, there is nothing left. You, the horn or the equipment. I'd really suggest finding an experienced player and take a lesson or two. There must be someone in Ireland that can help you, or come on over the Maryland in the
USA. :-) ESP
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2011-07-21 08:53
Fargus, Ed,
thanks again. There could be something in getting used to the mouthpiece, and working on embouchure/voicing, for sure.
I get lessons - about 2 a year! It'll be the autumn before anything happens again there; so it's just me against the chirp for now.
Ed, up to 2 years ago I used to travel to the states a lot, but that and any serious clarinet playing were sort of mutually exclusive. If the chance arises, I'll test your offer!
(Fargus, do we know each other? You can see my full name in my profile)
David.
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Author: fargus
Date: 2011-07-26 18:33
Hey David
I'm not sure. Do you think so? Maybe we can meet up some time. I'm sub-amateur but maybe I can help with your squeaking...
My email is fergus *dot* cullen *at* gmail
Who do you get lessons from?
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