Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2007-04-01 20:54
Ashley:
Have you always (or generally) had trouble with the low tones, or is this something that has developed recently?
If of more recent development, then do check your F res key adjustment, and also the C-Eb linkage. Sometimes just a quarter turn (closing the F res a little more) will work wonders in the willingness of the low tones to speak. To check the C-Eb linkage, play and hold a low C, while trilling the (left) Eb key. If you get any "wha wha" sound, then you need to tighten the screw on the Eb pad (the pad that lifts when the Eb is played) a little.
I find that sometimes after playing a lot of exercises that are mainly high notes, my embouchure doesn't want to relax enough to get the low notes. My teacher gave me the advice that when the piece calls for a lot of leaping around, start out with a "low note embouchure" and adjust for the high tones, rather than the other way around.
The other thing that I have found out is that it is important to have the air precede the tongue. This is a good idea all the time, but critical for easy articulation of the low notes. I just think "air first", so that the air is going and my jaw is down before I tongue. I sometimes think of "filling" the tip of the reed as if it were a little balloon.
Another thing to check is that your fingers are actually covering all the holes. I especially have to be aware of the position of my fourth fingers on both hands. They naturally ride a little too high on the toneholes. I have found that when I consciously "reach" a little more with my r.h. fourth finger (the one that covers the d hole) and set it down very intentionally, I am much more likely to get a clean articulation on D, C, and below.
And, as Chris said, some reeds just don't do as well on low notes.
Good luck. Let us know if anything works for you, OK?
Susan
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