 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RoxasXIII
Date: 2019-01-11 03:06
Attachment: image.jpg (1519k)
Attachment: image.jpg (1577k)
I’m having trouble with going from an above the staff A to an altissimo D and down without cracking it. I can play it fine slow but when played up to speed it just cracks and I don’t know how to fix it any suggestions? I have a picture of the music attached. If anyone is wondering it’s from Red Rock Mountain by Rossano Galante
Post Edited (2019-01-11 05:12)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-01-11 03:31
It might make a difference whether it "cracks" going up or coming down. In my experience, problems going over the "break" from clarion to altissimo or back down come from either not covering holes completely or moving your embouchure in some way (whether deliberately or not). First, make sure you're really getting everything covered. Second, pay attention to whether or not you're moving your embouchure either because the clarinet is moving or because you're trying to do something to control the leap. Most of the time, the less you do with your embouchure, the smoother those jumps will be. But if as you make the leap your thumb is shifting or your fingers aren't moving accurately, you may be venting something that shouldn't be open.
If I had to bet without seeing and hearing you which is the more likely cause. my money would would be on an embouchure movement.
Karl
Post Edited (2019-01-11 03:31)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-01-11 04:12
I would play a fast "D" like that "open" (like open G......no fingers at all). If intonation is a bit flat (that is, if you notice at that speed), you can add the bottom side key or both of the last two side keys.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2019-01-11 07:57
I'm with Karl.
With few exceptions, students who have come to me with altissimo problems are those who mess with their embouchures too much, usually by "reaching" for the notes (and thereby pinching).
The key to good altissimo playing is a stable embouchure and steady and sufficient breath support (not backing off out of fear, which is usually the case).
The altissimo isn't that scary, yet students often are terrified of it.
B.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-01-11 17:43
bmcgar wrote:
> I'm with Karl.
>
> With few exceptions, students who have come to me with
> altissimo problems are those who mess with their embouchures
> too much, usually by "reaching" for the notes (and thereby
> pinching).
>
Or, when coming down, they drop or loosen their embouchures, allowing the reed to go out of control, usually because they tightened on the way up.
Karl
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Author: RoxasXIII
Date: 2019-01-12 22:51
Thank you so much for the suggestions! It was my embouchure the problem after all! After learning to keep it steady the problem pretty much disappeared! Thanks again
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2019-01-13 03:54
Glad it works.
Two exercise that will reinforce the "stable embouchure" idea:
1. Play up from the lowest notes on the clarinet chromatically from low E to first space F, opening the register key to get the higher 12th with each note, but with no change in the embouchure.
2. Play the G just above the top line of the staff. When it's stable, take the first finger LH off, giving you the altissimo E. When that's stable, press the C# key on the second joint with the right hand pinkie, which will give you high A.
Note, though, that if you can't get the high A, but your embouchure is steady and your breath supported, it may be that your reed is unbalanced.
Also, it's helpful to watch yourself in the mirror while you do these.
B.
Post Edited (2019-01-13 08:40)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-01-13 05:55
bmcgar wrote:
> 2. Play the G just above the top line of the staff. When it's
> stable, take the first finger LH off, giving you the altissimo
> F.
E?
Karl
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2019-01-13 08:40
Yes, E.
Wayward fingers and aging eyes.
Original post fixed.
B.
Post Edited (2019-01-13 08:41)
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