Author: faltpihl ★2017
Date: 2014-11-21 01:28
Hi!
As many, I've been a long time reader/lurker, and I've really appreciated all the knowledge that I've gotten from this place. Thanks everyone!
Some background:
I'm a beginner/intermediate player who's trying to decide on a new clarinet.
I've learned on a Yamaha 450, and am currently using a Vandoren masters CL6 mouthpiece with Vandoren V12 3 reeds mostly (also using Forestone 4 a bit).
I have not done any specific exercises previously to try perfecting my tuning or my voicing (except for "the usual" trying to have a high tongue position and trying to not bite. I cannot comment on how well I am actually doing these two)
I have narrowed down my testing to the Ridenour Lyrique Libertas and a Yamaha CSG II/III. I like them both, with the Libertas having the upper hand.
So to my question:
--- Can anyone please advice me on what part of my voicing/embochure/(setup?) is likely to be the issue based on two issues I've found playing the Libertas?
Any advices on specific exercises or techniques (or even a straight out solution! ) to try narrowing down and focusing my efforts in improving these two issues would be very much appreciated.
I need to make a decision about the Libertas rather soon, and I would love to be able to make it work or at least know that I will in time make it work better for me.
To the issues:
I have two issues playing the Libertas:
1. Tuning. When I attempt to tune the clarinet, I can play most tones in tune (say about +-5 cents) except for the following tones:
Clarion left hand:
C - 26c (this is an issue I believe I have always had)
B - 15c
A - 14c
Left hand chalumeau register :
C - ok
D - 13 c
E - 24 c <<< This note really sticks out to me.
F - -8 c
The E is a note that is really bugging me. The high as well as the following Altissimo I'm just blaming my poor experience, but the chalumeau E is in between two notes that are more in tune.
2. A strong hiss/buzz on some notes
I've attached an image showing the worst notes.
I let my teacher try the Libertas, and she had even worse hiss on those notes. I have on occations been able to (not sure how) make the hiss almost dissapear, and it has been better after a couple hours on the Libertas. It is still very noticable at times though, and I'm hoping it can diagnose what I'm doing wrong (with air direction somehow perhaps?).
It seems (excuse me if I'm way off) that the notes where I cover holes that are just above a pad causes a hiss. The attached image shows the worst ones.
As if when the air goes out of the hole with the pad, it makes a more or less noticable hiss. At first the hiss was almost as loud as the note itself, I have never heard such a strong hiss on any other clarinet I've tried (tried most buffets, yamahas and few others).
I really like the Libertas ergonomics, price point, the hard rubber advantages, and the service I've gotten from the Ridenours.
But if I'm having issues that are "out of the ordinary" with this instrument, I don't feel confident in keeping it.
My (and Ted Ridenour, and my teachers) guess is that I am voicing(or maybe some embouchure issue?) in a manner that is not compatible with the Libertas. Probably partly due to my old Yamaha 450, but also likely that I just picked up some bad habits that I haven't noticed earlier.
If anyone had similar experiences, or recognises that I have a specific kind of issue, or just general tips for trying to sort out or improve please let me know!
Right now I'm just trying to get as many playing hours as possible out of the instrument, but I'm swamped at work right now so I fear I won't do much more progress without a more thought out plan.
Thanks in advance, and let me know if I need to clarify anything. This feels like a huge post, which might be very hard to read. My apologies if so.
Regards
Peter
Post Edited (2014-11-21 22:32)
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